Monday, October 27, 2008

Daily Digest October 27, 2008


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

EDITORIALs
CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
There's also another side

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
Rebuilding the confidence of voters
All the election ads in the world won't convince voters to get out to the polls if they don't think their vote matters.

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Camping is no solution to homelessness

Time is propitious for Canada to stop exporting asbestos

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
The issue that can't die

Skilled workers

Dealing with gangs

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
Could you live on $560 a month? Some Kingstonians do

LIBERALS SPENT TOO MUCH

NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS

STEADY HAND NEEDED ON TILLER

TORONTO STAR -
Cities can wait but not forever

Business and recycling

NATIONAL POST -
The truth about reconciliation
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=910913

Admirably unequal
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=904658

K-W RECORD -
The economy needs a confidence boost

WINDSOR STAR -
The deficit

Dion's long goodbye

Civil service is our friend

Social democrats to blame for election results

Comeback unlikely for Liberal leader

A native view of immigration

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Global hot spots ready to explode as interest wanes

Election result made Bloc irrelevant

CALGARY HERALD -
Journey for truth hindered by egos

Beef battle a bunch of bull

Dogged determination

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Bitumen proposal bad for trade, bad for Alberta

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Help also needed for the caregivers


ISSUES

AFGHANISTAN -
Taliban rule returning to Kandahar province
They mete out justice in their own courts, ban schools and even organize large religious gatherings, like one that drew thousands of people just outside Kandahar city recently

Gunfire brings down U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan

Afghan army solidarity threatened by Taliban bribes

Neighbours meet to discuss how to tackle Taliban violence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/27/taliban-summit-islamabad

UK defense minister: we will defeat the Taliban
http://quqnoos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1886&Itemid=48

'Reconstruction' efforts not reaching most Kandahari's
'Reconstruction' efforts not reaching most Kandahari's

Canadian aid must think big to make an impact: AfghansRead the original story
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/War_Terror/2008/10/27/7220766-cp.html

Role of regional players in Afghan imbroglio
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/13915

AFG DefMin Answers Questions Regarding Arming of Militias near Border


CANADIAN FORCES
New maritime helicopters need more engine power

NAVY TO MOVE FULL-SPEED AHEAD UNDER NATYNCZYK
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/defencewatch/archive/2008/10/27/navy-to-move-full-speed-ahead-under-natynczyk.aspx


CANUSA/USACAN
Canadians back Obama, seek closer ties with a new president


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Global economic crisis may doom forestry industry: union head

GM Said to Ask for U.S. Aid in Chrysler Merger Talks


FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Revisiting the strategic flashpoint of the Caucasus

US raid in Syria spooks Iran 
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JJ28Ak01.html

US-Iraq deal awash in 'wiggle words'
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JJ28Ak02.html

US strike in Syria "decapitated" al Qaeda's facilitation network
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/10/us_strike_in_syria_d.php


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Health worsens after immigration, study shows

Canada's medical inflexibility in danger of killing heath system


JUSTICE SYSTEM
Court loosens Ottawa's grip on access to medical marijuana
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081027.wmarji1027/BNStory/National/home


MIGRATION
Heart attack? Skip the drive - call 911


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
Quebecers may head to the polls on Dec. 8: reports

Opponents issue election battle cries, slam Charest

ADQ leader pledges to reopen Constitution if elected

PQ positive and feisty after two-day summit


POLITICAL OPINION -
Harper's Conservatives touted as role model for Republican Party MORE...

Tall, dark and fluent – go, Iggy.. MORE...

Liberal Party needs renewal as well as new leader. MORE...

Politics, not voting rules, in need of change.. MORE...

Gov. Gen.'s spending can't fly.. MORE...

All for e-e-equality MORE...

Did anyone truly believe that was the real Harper?. MORE...

Add Dion to list of rejected politicians.. MORE...

There are plenty of strong contenders for Dion's job.. MORE...

Gun bans don't prevent murder. MORE...

The issue that can't die.. MORE...

Electoral reform can be disastrous.. MORE...

Manley 'testing the water' for run to replace Dion

Harper to choose Cabinet this week

Miller pushed to be Agriculture Minister

Shea pushed to be fisheries minister

Liberal leadership contenders can carry old debts into new campaign

Harper would have to appoint 34 Senators to dominate Upper Chamber

Deficit not 'dirty' word experts warn Tories'

Flaherty won't rule out budget deficit


Harper has a de facto majority

Tories see wins in ethnic ridings as proof Liberal lock on minorities is ending

Conservatives dig in, sharpen tactics and strategy for next time

If you nominate women they will come

.
Ottawa refuses to reveal its position on chrysotile

Flaherty a lock for ministerial reappointment

Exclusive Interview with Paul Martin


OPINION AND INFORMATION
Our loony loonie was a pointless, destructive detourt.. MORE...

When anxiety stalks the workplace

Conservatives Canada's next natural governing party?
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/westview/story/4242440p-4885360c.html

 Post-election, parties have a lot to think about
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/434740

Finance and Militarism

The world isn't flat, it's flattened 
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JJ28Dj07.html


INFOS 
Charest annule son voyage en Chine, laissant planer la possibilité d'élections
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N1027142AU.html

Le recul de l'impôt sur les sociétés pourrait faire mal au fédéral
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N1027140AU.html

John Manley se dit tenté par la course au leadership du Parti libéral
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N1027146AU.html

L'Ontario déposera un projet de loi sur l'utilisation du cellulaire au volant
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N1027205AU.html

Ottawa révise un jugement ébranlant le monopole d'Etat sur le pot médical
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N1027174AU.html

Céline Hervieux-Payette contestée par des libéraux fédéraux du Québec
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N1027132AU.html

Le Conference Board prédit des augmentations de salaire moins élevées que prévu
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081027/N102739AU.html

Incertitude économique - Constitution et souveraineté : deux sujets à éviter en ce moment, dit Bachand

Le casse-tête québécois de Stephen Harper

La sécurité de Harper a coûté 30 millions depuis 2006


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)


Amazing Grace: Just the Black Notes

                 Every once in a while something comes my way outside politics . Ray Strachan sent a video
                 that will add to your knowledge about a song that probably is part of your life as it is mine.

                 I hope you both learn and enjoy.

                        Thanks Ray,

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

From: "John Duddy"
Subject: YouTube - 9/11 Japan Parliament Fujita ENGLISH Oct 2008

Hi Joe.
Please ask readers to demand a Canadian debate.
See recent Japanese video.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1eOpZMBcYdw
John Duddy.

===================================
From: Joseph <joseph@commonground.ca>
Subject: The Sun - The Big Picture - Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/10/the_sun.html

most amazing

Joseph

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

Thank the "Stars".

     I for one was very thankful that the Conservatives under "Stephen Harper" failed to reach a majority.

     38% of those voters who voted Conservative should not be allowed to rule the other 62%.

     Perhaps a coalition should be reached between the Liberals, NDP and Quebecois to lead the majority of Canadians, but
     would it be possible to have these leaders and their parties put the best interests of Canada first?

John Halonen

Probabilities nil.
===================================
From: Charles Tupper
Subject: Why the secrecy?

October 26, 2008
Europe's secret plan to boost GM crop production
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/europes-secret-plan-to-boost-gm-crop-production-973834.html

Subject: When Will It Ever End? [READ THE COMMENTS]

Police will use new device to take fingerprints in street
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/27/project-midas-fingerprint-scanner-liberty

Comments (71 at time of posting ) 

===================================
From: Raymond J STRACHAN
Subject: JUST THE BLACK NOTES


Amazing Grace: Just the Black Notes!

===================================
From: "Rene Moreau" <rtmoreau@sympatico.ca>
To: <letters@wpgsun.com>

Subject: Time to bury the gun law

To the Winnipeg Sun;
To the editor;
From R. Moreau (416-489-8347)

A story;

Back in the days when the cost of the Canadian gun registry hit 2 billion dollars ,  it  was being run by  EDS of Houston Texas , because Nafta says , 'thou shalt not discriminate against foreign, American, corporations, and our M.P.'s  had been infiltrated by  corporate moles to make sure they  would abide by NAFTA,  and they even gave our census work to the 'neighbours,  some one in the government woke up.
   Realizing how stupid it was to put the locations of almost

every personal gun  in Canada and the owners name  and hiding place, they said 'hey, this is nuts' and sought a Canadian company to do the work, CGI and BDP Data of Montreal were chosen. Of course,  the yanks, through Resolve corporation, of Cleveland in a short time, bought BDP!

   Result;  U.S.ian corporations still control  the Canadian  gun registry, and if you write  a letter like this, Echelon will intercept  it and make sure  it doesn't circulate too much.

    Some say this is considered  anti-American  by those who tell the editors to ignore these letters and never print them. It IS ANTI-CORPORATE, but not anti-American  people.

   Food for thought.
                          
                            Rene Moreau (416-489-8347)

Is CGI Canadian?
===================================

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Daily Digest October 26, 2008


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

EDITORIALs

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
We need to know more about security failures

TORONTO STAR -
Vital to reduce poverty this year

Get the lead out of toys

CALGARY HERALD -
What are we fighting for?

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Martin's memoir mostly political fiction

VANCOUVER PROVINCE -
Transplanting true goodness

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Let Canadians serve time here


ISSUES

AFGHANISTAN -
Canadian soldier injured in IED blast in Afghanistan

US chiefs plan troop surge in Afghanistan
 
Taliban to NATO: Get out

Britain confident of crushing Taliban

More on USA Mapping New Approach

Drugs theory in Afghan DHL killings
FT.com (10/26/2008)
[]
Afghan instability spreading In dire straits
The Sunday Times (10/26/2008)

Push to negotiate with the Taliban will begin Monday
McClatchy News (10/26/2008)

Why the war criminals must leave Afghanistan
Irish Sun, Editorial (10/01/2608)
[]
U.S. Animosity Towards Iran Thwarts Policy in Afghanistan
MIT Center for International Studies (10/01/2608)

"A Complicated Picture"
Newsweek (10/01/2608)
[]
Al-Qaida influence apparent in groups in Pakistan
The Associated Press (10/01/2608)


CANADIAN FORCES
Rollover kills reservist, 19


CANUSA/USACAN
The Importance of Defining Ourselves as 'Us'
http://www.embassymag.ca/page/view/canada_washington-defining_ourselves-10-22-2008


FOREIGN AFFAIRS
US aircraft attack Syria border'


US Special Forces Launch Rare Attack Inside Syria

Syria condemns U.S. attack
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081026.wsyria1025/BNStory/International/home


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
40 years later, we still matter: PQ

ADQ fears more raids on its MNAs'

A Coalition was formed to give more powers to regions
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Finfo.branchez-vous.com%2FNationales%2F081026%2FN102618AU.html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=fr&tl=en


POLITICAL OPINION -
Canada can't avoid recession, U.S. economist says A prominent U.S. economist and trader, Dennis Gartman, believes the global economic crisis has already spread to "the real economy" of retail sales and Canada will not be able to avoid heading into a recession. MORE...

Cap this foolish enviro plan. MORE...

Enough party talk, it's time to grow up.. MORE...

Did anyone truly believe that was the real Harper?. MORE...

Conservative cabinet promises to be more feminine.. MORE...

Add Dion to list of rejected politicians.. MORE...

There are plenty of strong contenders for Dion's job.. MORE...

Enough party talk, it's time to grow up.. MORE..

Prejudice in a post-9/11 world  MORE...

Nearly $30 million spent to protect PM since 2006:


PROGRAMMES
Canada Post gets stamp of disapproval


Tories scaling back on tough-on-crime agenda

Protect pesticide bans ­ May



PRESSURE POINTS
Arctic is melting even in winter


Global Warming, Inc.
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/453.html


OPINION AND INFORMATION
Lessons learned from CTV interview MORE...

Hard times in Alberta have led to change.

Greed has become a powerful market force in today's economies

New Stephen Harper will be defined by Quebec and recession
http://www.harperindex.ca/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=00167


INFOS 
Un soldat est gravement blessé dans l'explosion d'une bombre en Afghanistan
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081026/N102606AU.html

Le premier ministre Harper formerait son nouveau cabinet cette semaine
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081026/N102616AU.html

Une Coalition s'est formée pour donner plus de pouvoirs aux régions
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081026/N102618AU.html

Une mission en Chine
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Ontario/2008/10/26/002-mcguinty-chine-mission_n.shtml


BELOW(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)

A Coalition was formed to give more powers to regions
LA PRESSE CANADIENNE THE CANADIAN PRESS
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Finfo.branchez-vous.com%2FNationales%2F081026%2FN102618AU.html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=fr&tl=en

SAINT-GERMAIN-DE-KAMOURASKA - La Coalition pour un Québec des Régions est déterminée à obtenir plus de pouvoirs pour les instances régionales. SAINT-GERMAIN-DE-KAMOURASKA -

The Coalition for Quebec Regions is determined to get more powers to regional bodies.

Réclamant une décentralisation de l'Etat, différents forums citoyens seront tenus pour préciser les pouvoirs qu'elle aimerait récupérer.

Calling for decentralization of government, different public forums will be held to clarify the powers that she would recover.

Une première rencontre s'est tenue samedi à Rivière-du-Loup, au Bas-Saint-Laurent; une autre suivra le 8 novembre à Montréal. A first meeting was held Saturday in Riviere-du-Loup, Bas-Saint-Laurent and another will follow on November 8 in Montreal. L'objectif est de développer des pistes dans les 17 régions du Québec et de faire culminer la réflexion par des Etats généraux des régions.

The goal is to develop tracks in the 17 regions of Quebec and to culminate reflection of the General regions.

Selon le coordonnateur de la Coalition, Roméo Bouchard, l'absence d'autonomie régionale est un obstacle majeur au développement des régions et ce, tant dans les grands centres qu'en périphérie. Plusieurs jeunes prennent part à la réflexion pour que le Québec reconnaisse les régions comme des instances politiques et démocratiques plutôt que de simples régions administratives.

According to the coordinator of the Coalition, Romeo Bouchard, the lack of regional autonomy is a major obstacle to development regions and in both major centers in suburbs.  Several young people take part in the debate to recognize that Quebec regions as political and democratic rather than mere administrative regions.

Les participants sont toujours invités à s'exprimer à titre de citoyens, et ce même s'ils appartiennent à des organisations politiques ou économiques.

Participants are invited to speak as citizens, even if they belong to political organizations or economic.

© La Presse Canadienne, 2008 © The Canadian Press, 2008

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


Saturday, October 25, 2008

Daily Digest October 25, 2008


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

EDITORIALs

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Charest should resist election temptation

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Now he tells us

TORONTO STAR -
Twilight of the oracles

GLOBE & MAIL -
Online addiction is not a game
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081024.weinternet25/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
Hopeful signs from Pakistan
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=907039

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
We'll all feel financial chill

WINDSOR STAR -
EU trade

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Gov't, labour need to end feud

CALGARY HERALD -
Arts groups sing premier's praise

Ruling that leads to shanties cannot be allowed to stand

Teens today need our help to traverse the tough tightrope

GRANDE PRAIRIE DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE -
Tension builds in wake of bombings - Precarious situation for oilpatch workers

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
It's time to rethink elections

LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
Canada's priorities are all messed up
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1543&Itemid=56

VANCOUVER SUN -
Recession or not, Christmas gift-giving tradition worth the price

In dying, philosophers teach us how to live

Bloc's the big winner in election financing

VANCOUVER PROVINCE -
We're sure you will agree/agree

'Spoofing' fraud should be banned

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Prescribed drugs a step forward

End discriminatory voting rules

Tough economy not the real cause of violent crime


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
No time for blame, Strahl says of LaForme resignation

AFGHANISTAN -
Survivors of the 'mouth of hell' back with tales of a deadly tour of duty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/oct/26/military-afghanistan

US claims Afghan opium progress 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7690422.stm

Britain may be in Afghanistan 'for decades'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5014727.ece

US chiefs plan troop surge in Afghanistan
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5014730.ece

Myriad militant groups operate on Pakistan border


CANADIAN FORCES
Soldiers to target Afghan drug labs, not poppy fields

Frigate crew feels Somalia mission did some good

Brit Hercules report doesn't worry Canadian commander



CANUSA/USACAN
Pair detained in Guantanamo take Mounties, CSIS to court


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Asia, Europe discuss economy, call for IMF help

GM, Cerberus step up Chrysler sale talks: sources

Chrysler to cut 25 percent of salaried work force


HL: Some Canadian charities struggling amid financial meltdown
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081025/national/economy_charities


FOREIGN AFFAIRS




HEALTH CARE RELATED
Health care: slow progress, but direction clear

Listeria fear prompts recall of 10 kinds of sandwich sold in Ontario


JUSTICE SYSTEM



MIGRATION
Economy will need more immigrants


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
Dumont brushes off rumours of more ADQ defections

Driving on phone to be banned: Report


PARTY POLITICS



POLITICAL OPINION -
Deficit slayer sees legacy cut to pieces MORE...

Martin: Tory tax cuts risk Canada's financial health

August red ink points to 'rough times' ahead

We shouldn't need a Green party. MORE...

Wounded party rallies to sound of trumpet. MORE...

Harper must hike GST to avoid deficit MORE...

Mr. Harper, it's time to ditch some campaign vows  MORE...

Send Iggy packing?l.. MORE...

Bloc's the big winner in election financing. MORE...

Time to bury the gun registry. MORE..

Don't believe in climate change? You still need a carbon tax MORE...

Memoirs of a PM foiled by predecessor.. MORE...

What Dick Pound said was really dumb - and also true
Wente: Was Canada once a land of savages? .. MORE...

Advice to publishers: Go private MORE...

Liberals pressure former premier to quit waffling over leadership

McGuinty disses McKenna

McKenna's French? "..he is a preternaturally powerful orator -- in both English and French"


Dosanjh mulls run for Liberal leadership

Tobin firmly rules out run at Liberal leadership Conservative Co-Chair gets plum lobbyist assignment

Flaherty says surplus still in cards

Ottawa dips into the red


Deficit foes face bleak choices as budget shortfall seems certain

A guide to debts, deficits and surpluses

Liberal demise blamed on Chretien

Stéphane's Québec lieutenant says: I ain't goin' nowhere

Liberals oust Bloc in suburban Montreal following recount


Quebec ridings that voted Tory will be better served, MP says
Jean-Pierre Blackburn saved himself in the last election campaign by repeatedly pointing out that he spread $247-million in federal pork as a member of the Harper government.


PROGRAMMES



PRESSURE POINTS



OPINION AND INFORMATION
Human species 'may split in two'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6057734.stm

We're all socialists now
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/index.html

French gird to contest British victory at Agincourt, 600 years later
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/10/24/french-gird-to-contest-british-victory-at-agincourt-600-years-later.aspx

This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.    
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,    
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
http://www.chronique.com/Library/Knights/crispen.htm   

Salmon Collapse: Starving on the Coast

The Global Crisis: The End of an Age of Reaction


INFOS 
L'Armée du salut souffre des répercussions de la crise économique
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081025/N102550AU.html

Ottawa est toujours en voie d'afficher un 'modeste surplus', dit Jim Flaherty
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081024/N1024171AU.html

Le chef d'état-major de la Défense estime que les Hercules sont sûrs
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081024/N1024212AU.html

Bactérie E. coli: une action collective contre le propriétaire de Harvey's
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081024/N1024167AU.html

Augmenter l'immigration pour assurer le bien-être de l'économie
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/national/200810/25/01-32923-augmenter-limmigration-pour-assurer-le-bien-etre-de-leconomie.php

Pas de pouvoir pour les libéraux sans unité
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/10/25/212573.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)

Michael Watkins
Emerson-Free Vancouver Kingsway

http://www.fin.gc.ca/FISCMON/2008-08e.html

Its official: Stephen "No Recession" Harper and Jim "No Deficit" Flaherty
post a whopping 1.7 billion deficit in August. What will September record?

I noted during the election Canada's growing cash flow deficit. Only
post-election has the subject of debt, deficit, and recession gained
traction in the popular media.

From April to the end of August the Conservative government has racked up
$17.6 billion in new debt and reduced Canada's cash balance by $2 billion.
It has run deficits in two of five months already this year, and the
borrowing rate of this government has outpaced all governments this
decade.

There is every expectation this fiscal year will be the worst Canada has
faced in decades. Previous governments have retained sufficient reserves
to deal with economic turmoil, but the Harper government is not so
prepared.

It will be tempting for the opposition to merely claim the Harper
government are bad managers. Don't make that mistake. Focussing on the
amount of red ink alone will cause many to miss the more important point
which is the Harper government, in the final analysis, doesn't care if it
runs some red ink. Why? Harper's primary mission is to keep shovelling out
tax cuts and transfers to provinces in order to reach its final objective:
a permanent weakening of the power of the federal government.

Surpluses and deficits are ephemeral. Whatever fleeting angst one feels on
review of the latest federal government balance sheet will not compare to
the pain we shall experience in the future thanks to a weakened Canada and
its dismantled federal government, one Harper wishes to design using the
1867 era as his pattern.

Was Canada better off in 1867 than it is today?

An explanatory graphic and more detail at:
http://mikewatkins.ca/2008/10/24/conservatives-post-another-deficit/

===================================
From: Charles Tupper
Subject: Integration with the United States?

« Harper's Agenda Must be Stopped by Liberals, NDP and Bloc »

===================================
From: "Robert Ede"
To: "jflaherty@fin.gc.ca" <jflaherty ...snip... Stephen Harper" <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject: Deficit Reported for Aug2008 in monthly Fiscal Monitor report
Cc: consltcomm@fin.gc.ca ...snip... Digest" <joe.hueglin@bellnet.ca>

Mr Minister & Mr Prime Minister,
 
Very fast work.
 
The election was over less than 10 days ago and already you've produced new data on the annual budget's progress that was unavailable to you and us at that time.
 
Bourque.com alerted me that the Fiscal Monitor had been released today (html last rev 10/24/08) and I thank you and your department/government's zeal in distributing this newly gathered info in such a timely fashion.
 
Talk about dedication - you must have gone right back to work to get this out so fast.  I had half-expected you folks to have taken some time off ... to relax a bit after the election campaign.
 
Boy, was I wrong!  Again ... thanks for the extra effort.
 
Oh, by the way, is there anything else we should know - Fiscally, Monetarily, Economically, Militarily etc that you've become aware of since the 14th?

--
Robert (Rob) Ede,
Thornhill ON

===================================
From: "Brian Graff"

Hi Joe:
 
Regarding the PC Party, I have written to you before voicing my view that the party fails to provide any useful purpose.
 
If we were to switch to a system of PR, then maybe the PCP would stand a chance of growing, but even then it would be a long uphill battle.
 
The Liberal Party, under Paul Martin, was in many ways a Red Tory Party - people like Martin, Roy McLaren and John Manley could easily have been confused for Progressives Conservatives - I don't think that philosophically that are all that more to the left of John Tory or Brian Mulroney.
 
In the short term, if PC Party members want to continue, at the least they need to link up with some other group, like the Canadian Action Party, in order to prevent further shrinkage.... or possibly join the Green Party - the former leader was a ex-Progressive Conservative, so I assume that others have also found a comfortable home there.
 
But, as a disgruntled Liberal who fears even 1 more year of Steven Harper, I would even like to see the Liberal party and the NDP merge rather than to continue to split the vote... so I am one who puts strategy and compromise over adherence to a particular party "Brand Name" or narrow philosophy
 
Brian
 
===================================
Subject: On the lighter side ... Silly science and caustic comments
From: "Efstratios Psarianos"

Hi, Joe. We've all been pretty despondent recently. Give us DDers a shot of this ..

Have a good weekend!

Stratos

 
Light Friday: 2008 Ig Nobel Prizes

By Jorina Fontelera

The annual Ig Nobel Prizes - the light-hearted version of the Nobel Prizes - honor the unusual and imaginative works of scientific research. This year's winners revealed how to make potato chips seem crisper, found new uses for Coca-cola and that plants have dignity.

Organized by the
Annals of Improbably Research, the annual Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate scientific achievements that "first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative - and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology."

More than 1,000 spectators attended the gala ceremony for the 18th annual Ig Nobel Prizes held at Havard University's Sanders Theatre on Oct. 2. The prizes were presented by 1976 Nobel Laureate
William Lipscomb and honored the scientists who discovered that heaps of hair will always get tangled, slime molds can solve puzzles and why armadillos are a pain to archaeologists.

The following are the 2008 Ig Nobel Prize categories and winners:

Nutrition Prize: The Italian-British duo of Massimiliano Zampini of the University of Trento, Italy, and Charles Spence of Oxford University, UK, were able to electronically modify the sound of a potato chip to make the person eating it think it is crisper and fresher than it really is. Their study,
The Role of Auditory Cues in Modulating the Perceived Crispness and Staleness of Potato Chips, first appeared in the Journal of Sensory Studies.

(Stratos: "And now, in addition to their great taste, Pringles feature saliva-activated, nano-crisp electronic technology that not only electrically charges your taste buds . it RESONATES at your skull's natural frequency!")


Peace Prize: Perhaps the most intensely watched of the real Nobel prizes, the peace prize was awarded to the Swiss Federal Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology (ECNH) and the citizens of Switzerland for adopting the legal principle that
plants have dignity.
(Stratos: Politicians, aka vegetables, aka potted plants, rejoice! Respect is at hand .)

Archaeology Prize: Brazilian archaeologists Astolfo G. Mello Araujo and Jos Carlos Marcelino of Universidade de S o Paulo, Brazil, discovered how the contents of an archaeological dig site can be
scrambled by the actions of a live armadillo, thus potentially jumbling history.
(Stratos: With this knowledge, we will throw off the bonds of Earth, our home of old, and fill the galaxy. Plus, now we know that ancient civilizations really WEREN'T ruined by hordes of raging armadillos.)

 Biology Prize: French scientists Marie-Christine Cadiergues, Christel Joubert, and Michel Franc of Ecole Nationale Veterinaire de Toulouse, France, proved that
dog fleas jump higher than cat fleas.
(Stratos: Zees ees why zose Eengleesh peeg-dogs conqeurrred ze weurrrld and not oss Franch.)

Medicine Prize: Showing that price does matter, Ziv Carmon of INSEAD (Singapore) and American scientists Dan Ariely of Duke University, Rebecca L. Waber of MIT, and Baba Shiv of Stanford University, demonstrated that
high-priced fake medicine is more effective than low-priced fake medicine.
(Stratos: "And now in pharmacies . double-sweet SHUGAH-brand (TM) placebos. Twice as strong and twice the price of competing sugar-based medecines. Proven MORE EFFECTIVE than aspartame!")

Cognitive Science Prize: Proving that there's more to mold than meets the eye, Japanese scientists Toshiyuki Nakagaki of Hokkaido University, Hiroyasu Yamada of Nagoya, Ryo Kobayashi of Hiroshima University, Atsushi Tero of Presto JST, Akio Ishiguro of Tohoku University, and Hungarian got T th of the University of Szeged, showed how amoeba-like slime mold was able to find the minimum-length solution between two points in a labyrinth. In short,
it solves puzzles.
(Stratos: I had a boss like that once. He always found the shortest way to my lunches, which I'd always hide from him at work. That, and he always found the lowest-energy way to please HIS boss at my expense .)

Economics Prize: Helping lap dancers everywhere, Geoffrey Miller, Joshua Tybur and Brent Jordan of the University of New Mexico, exposed the fact that professional lap dancers
earn higher tips when they are ovulating.
(Stratos: This is news? Male Chippendales dancers make more dinero when their parts swell up, too. I could've done that study for free! Uuuuhhh ... I mean my wife .)

Physics Prize: Detangling shampoo manufacturers beware. Dorian Raymer of the Ocean Observatories Initiative at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Douglas Smith of the University of California, San Diego, proved mathematically that heaps of string or hair will
inevitably tangle themselves up in knots.
(Stratos: 1. There''s GOT to be a way to generate power from spontaneous hair-fusion energy. 2. Ladies, give it up . Use Brand X Tangles-Are-Inevitable-So-Don't Worry conditioner, now 20% off with every purchase of SHUGAH (TM) Anti-Anxiety Elixir.

 Chemistry Prize: Nothing like contraception to cause controversy as joint chemistry prize winners proved and disproved that Coca Cola is an effective spermicide. Sharee A. Umpierre of the University of Puerto Rico, Joseph A. Hill of The Fertility Centers of New England (USA), Deborah J. Anderson of Boston University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School
say it is, while Taiwanese scientists Chuang-Ye Hong of Taipei Medical University, C.C. Shieh, P. Wu and B.N. Chiang say it is not.
(Stratos: So it's official, now. Alcohol PROMOTES fertility, and Coca Cola INHIBITS it. However, please note that Coke serves for morning-after mop-up, whereas Diet Coke shuts down repro systems.)

Literature Prize: David Sims of Cass Business School in London, takes home the literature prize for his lovingly written study on behavior entitled,
You Bastard: A Narrative Exploration of the Experience of Indignation within Organizations.
(Stratos: Inspired by my former boss!)

For more information about the Ig Nobel Prizes, visit
Improbable Research's Web site where you can watch the 2008 ceremony, learn about past winners and find out how to nominate other wacky scientific works for 2009.

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


Friday, October 24, 2008

Daily Digest October 24, 2008


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

EDITORIALs

OTTAWA SUN -
Taxpayers know it all

TORONTO STAR -
Steering around reef of recession

NATIONAL POST -
Admirably unequal
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=904658

The OECD finds Canada a country of the comfortable middle
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/10/24/national-post-editorial-board-the-oecd-finds-canada-a-country-of-the-comfortable-middle.aspx

TORONTO SUN -

With crime stats, no news is bad news

Rank Afghan injustice

WINNIPEG SUN -
Kids' racial slurs must be investigated

EDMONTON SUN -
Stelmach's economic plan failing
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Commentary/2008/10/24/7185061-sun.html
 

ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
Judicial independence key to LaForme's resignation

Government to hold talks over future of residential-schools commission


AFGHANISTAN -
Two strategies, one enemy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/24/pakistan-afghanistan

Pakistan rejects 'America's war' on extremists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/24/pakistan-us-foreign-policy-terrorism

Pakistan on the Taliban: "Dialogue must now be the highest priority"
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/10/pakistan_on_the_tali.php

Pakistan Uses Tribal Militias in Taliban War
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/pakistan-to-arm-antitaliban-militias/2008/10/23/1224351449788.html

"Americans' Last Ditch Attempt" (Taliban Suggests USA Not Fund Tribal Militas)


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Inflation rate slipped slightly in September

It's not a recession: Carney


Canada teeters on brink of recession

Debate over energy plans 'exaggerated'

Oilsands plans scaled back


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Parents fear Internet addiction

'Fart gas' link to blood pressure


New light on common cold


JUSTICE SYSTEM
System not trusted


MIGRATION
New criteria alarm immigrants


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
Ontario cuts not really cuts: McGuinty

No tax hikes, McGuinty promises


Dumont writes off defections

Do the defections bring an election closer?


Tug of war over water

Upgraders pushed back

Critics call B.C. premier's economic plan a pre-election ploy

Copy Quebec daycare, PQ leader says


POLITICAL OPINION -
Canada bankrolls its own assassins
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/10/23/jonathan-kay-once-again-canadian-taxpayers-bankroll-quebec-s-separatists.aspx

Martin blasts ex-boss Chrétien MORE...

Liberals ponder history's lessons. MORE...

Dion and the cult of the leader  MORE...

The McKenna mystique. MORE...

Left wing merger lunacy.. MORE...

Merci, Stéphane, for bringing vision to Liberals.. MORE...

Ideas, leaders and money.. MORE...

Our accountant versus their poet. MORE...

Just say no to deficits" MORE...

A new low for 'human rights'. MORE...

As deficits return, be afraid -- very afraid. MORE...

Steering around reef of recession
Toronto Star: Central bankers are paid to tell it like it is. So when Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney concludes the sky isn't falling, that's good news. The bad news, to no one's surprise, is that the air has gone out of the economy. MORE...

It'll be the economy, economy, economy in 2009.. MORE...

Asbestos: Ottawa's sacred cow. MORE...

For Mario Dumont, the news just keeps getting worse. MORE...

GG flight tab soars

Hercules aircraft lack fuel tank protection

Dion admits election 'error' as defeated Liberals say goodbye

Abstaining no longer a Liberal option


Liberals won't bring down Harper on throne speech

Pollsters: Conservatives' attack ads hurt voter turnout and democracy

Jean Chretien says he was 'shocked' by low voter turnout

Harper to project competence with new cabinet

Why Steve's delaying announcing his new cabinet?

Tories chip away at Liberals' ethnic support

Chretien takes credit for strength of Canadian banks; refuses to criticize Dion

Politics factored into bank aid deal

Tories face tough decisions on budget amid downturn


PS faces money manager crisis

Federal cash kept BQ campaign afloat, report says
.

PROGRAMMES
Toxic toys, jewellery recalled

Asbestos OK, Canada says, but not here

Torture inquiry pushes Ottawa to disclose details


PRESSURE POINTS
ETHANOL NO LONGER SEEN AS BIG FOOD PRICE DRIVER
http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuters/2008/10/23/2008-10-23T180353Z_01_N23380078_RTRIDST_0_FOOD-CORN-ETHANOL-ANALYSIS.html


OPINION AND INFORMATION
Stand up for health care or risk letting it blow away

We're sorry, but they're lawyers


INFOS 
Une étude dénonce l'approche uniforme aux changements climatiques
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081024/N102402AU.html

Les libéraux fédéraux satisfaits que Dion reste, pressés d'élire son remplaçant
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081023/N1023183AU.html

Ottawa va créer un programme temporaire de soutien aux prêts bancaires
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081023/N102363AU.html

Le juge Iacobucci réclame que davantage d'informations soient divulguées
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081023/N1023193AU.html

Le Canada devrait étendre le financement au développement à travers le pays
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081023/N1023191AU.html

Inflation
Constance dans la hausse des prix
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie-Affaires/2008/10/24/003-inflation-septembre.shtml

Gaz à effet de serre
La TD réclame des politiques musclées
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/environnement/2008/10/24/001-td-rapport-carbone.shtml

Élections fédérales
Les libéraux font le point
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2008/10/23/003-Caucusliberal.shtml

Les candidats potentiels placent leurs pions
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/dossiers/succession-de-dion/200810/24/01-32408-les-candidats-potentiels-placent-leurs-pions.php

Crise financière
Ottawa intervient de nouveau
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2008/10/23/001-flaherty-credit.shtml

Jean Charest frappe un grand coup
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/10/24/212270.html

La culture d'impunité se poursuit»
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/10/24/212267.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)

Abbreviated due to time constraints and will be for several days.

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

From: Tom Brewer

I am disturbed by Ian Berg's comments. It takes a lot more than one assumes to run an election campaign!

This election was foisted on Canadians. I too was considering running however the timing was not in the stars for me.

Ian should take care in his comments. Does it matter who one is should they allow their name to stand? I think not… A Canadian is allowed to run if he/she so decides.

We need to remember this election was not to happen in the first place. Harper played games and pulled the plug. The timing was in his favour no-one else's. His plan was to decimate the Liberals. His plan worked.

In my estimation we need to watch this coming House with care. Harper and his "team" are dam cocky. He has a lot to do to ensure Canadian support is not lost given the economy. His comments to "go out and buy" are not taken lightly as many Canadians are suffering given his friend Bush and the fiasco in the United States.

Harper's time will come Ian has to be patient! Haste makes waste remember?

Brewt
===================================
From: A Nonymous

News from the Trenches.
While working on the election I received a call from a guy telling me he wanted me to come and pick up a paper.
J: "What paper" I asked?
Caller:"The one you guys left at my door" he replied.
J: "You mean the advertising about our (Conservative) candidate"?
Caller: "That's right"! "I'm an NDP'er and I don't want this so you can come and pick it up".
J: "Sir, if you don't want it why not just put it in the recycle bin or your garbage"?
Caller: "Nope, you guys put it in my door so you can come and pick it up"
J: "If you think I'm going to drive to your place to pick up advertising because you don't want it, you're an idiot".
Caller: "You can't call me an idiot, I'm a retired policeman"!
J: "Well it you expect me to pick up advertising, you're a retired policeman who's an idiot". Hung Up!
 
Caller: Phone's back and leaves a foul message on our answering machine.
 
If you're a retired policeman, wouldn't you think that leaving a recorded message like that would go a long way to proving you're an idiot?
 
Joe: Please don't use my name. I'd like to protect the guilty.

===================================
From:Charles Tupper
Subject: Comfortably Numb - the devastating effects psychiatric drugs have on children

Comfortably Numb is a riveting short documentary that portrays the devastating effects of psychiatric drugs given to more than 8 million American children. Kids as young as two years of age are being given powerful, mind-altering drugs most of which have not been properly tested or approved for children.

Comfortably Numb pierces the wall of secrecy that surrounds the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry and exposes the flaws in a system that creates riches for some while it devastates the lives of others.

Through interviews with a young victim and her father, as well as respected medical professionals, this piece portrays the heartbreaking reality of suffering and even death that shadows the business of selling drugs for children.

Have we lost our minds in allowing this to happen, or have we simply become Comfortably Numb?

Written, Produced and Directed by Gloria Berman. http://www.cnumb.com

WATCH ...
Comfortably Numb - Part 1 of 2
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3ggTYfDic

Comfortably Numb - Part 2 of 2
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=S1oeVCimRwA

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

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Daily Digest October 23, 2008


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

EDITORIALs

ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM -
Money troubles

CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
Stop reviewing, start improving

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
Protecting our shores a worthy project
What Souris does to save its shores from erosion could help other coastal communities protect theirs

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Mental health court long overdue

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
ABC turns into a welcome mat

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Residential-school hearings must go ahead

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Canadians abandoned

Dying to help

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
Abuse heaped upon abuse

BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER -
Running deficit right decision for time being

TORONTO STAR -
Reality means running a deficit

NATIONAL POST -
Zero tolerance on torture
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=901821

NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
Forced apologies don't mean a thing

Infrastructure deficit can't be ignored

K-W RECORD -
Exposing torture

WINDSOR STAR -
Water supply

Election lacked serious discussion of real issues

Pitch a tent in B.C.

Human rights still matter

SUDBURY STAR -
Harper's Conservative victory deja vu all over again

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Canada must revamp food trade policies

Harper has wealth of talented women for cabinet

CALGARY SUN -
Talk is cheap - real action is expensive

GRANDE PRAIRIE DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE -
Canadian retail sales show more trouble ahead

It's McKenna's move now - Former N.B. premier has a lot of Liberal support

Study: Western diet 'bad for you'

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Blasphemy jailing hits Afghan policy

Free speech may have been only thing between Harper and majority

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Paranoia of the right will lead to its downfall

VANCOUVER SUN -
We should right the balance between security, civil rights

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Caller ID 'spoofs' should be illegal

Taser inquiry delays wrong

Harper government policies could hurt First Nations

Premier using cash to fend off fears


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
AFN meddling blamed for exit of commission's chairman


AFGHANISTAN -
Rattled by rumour
Jihadists alarmed at the thought of a Taleban peace deal

Pakistan to arm anti-Taliban militias

Pakistan school

Kandahar's police chief in denial: residents
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=901753
[]
Hot air and improbable peace
Asia Times (10/23/2008)
[]
An Old Afghanistan Hand Offers Lessons of the Past
The New York Times (10/23/2008)
[]
Connecting geopolitical dots
The Washington Times (10/23/2008)
[]
Security concerns over voter registration process
IRIN (10/23/2008)
[]
Death stalks the highway to hell
Asia Times (10/23/2008)
[]
Afghans to Karzai: You failed us
The Christian Science Monitor (10/22/2008)

CANADIAN FORCES
Military awaits delivery date on choppers


CANUSA/USACAN
Khadr loses 'indefinite' delay bid


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Economy on edge of recession: Bank of Canada
http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081023.wboc1023/BNStory/Business/home

Economy to rebound by 2010: Bank of Canada

Canada oil sands projects revamped as crude slides


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Boys need HPV vaccine, too


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
National Assembly theatrics might be setting stage for election call. MORE...

2 ADQ members defect to Charest's Liberals

Quebec Liberals hatch plan for snap election

Campbell fast-tracks tax relief, recalls legislature


NDP slams Campbell's plan, but business groups approve

B.C. to accelerate income tax cuts

Campbell fast-tracks tax relief, recalls legislature


Ontario unveils cuts, $500 million deficit

No more trying to please everyone


Provincial poobahs are reluctant to rein in careless spending as the realization Alberta's not immune to meltdown fails to sink in


POLITICAL OPINION -
Canada on brink of recession, government bolsters banks
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/081023/canada/canada_us_finance_canada

Flaherty skirts questions on deficit

Liberals pledge 'responsible' opposition

Liberals won't bring down Harper on throne speech

Liberals 'very united' despite election loss: Dion MORE...

Harper's cabinet dilemmas.. MORE...

Cabinet fever. MORE...

Taking bets on next Liberal leader MORE...

Why McKenna should run MORE ...

Liberal caucus meeting likely to be a long, unhappy affair MORE...

The Liberals must turn right," MORE...

Liberals need to find their Iowa if they hope to win.. MORE...

Breaking promises could be catching MORE...

Harper poised to make major cabinet shakeup

McKenna mum on political future

Don't write Frank McKenna off just yet


Why McKenna should run

Candidates lining up to become top Liberal

Cauchon testing Liberal leadership waters

Liberal caucus ready to turn page

Photo ID rule nixed voting 'in droves' -- May


Innocuous request denied by the Conservatives
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cyberpresse.ca%2Factualites%2Fquebec-canada%2Fpolitique-canadienne%2F200810%2F23%2F01-32050-demande-anodine-refusee-par-les-conservateurs.php&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=fr&tl=en


PROGRAMMES
Federal rule change may see farmers lose control of wheat board

Government reviewing spending plans, won't rule out deficit: Flaherty

Canadian government considers strategic options for AECL , sources say

Ottawa to guarantee inter-bank lending MORE...

Disturbing complicity on torture MORE...

Almalki feels 'betrayed' by diplomats

Canada Post planning to raise rates in 2009

RCMP watchdog still in the works after five years


PRESSURE POINTS
Green shift: a loser worldwide MORE...


OPINION AND INFORMATION
Youth crime changes worth doing MORE...

Plotting in the Liberal court

The leadership vacuum

The shameful truth

If you don't know, don't vote

This is no time for the U.S. to go wobbly on Afghanistan

Post-Kyoto clock ticking for new president


INFOS 
Les libéraux fédéraux satisfaits que Dion reste, pressés d'élire son remplaçant
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081023/N102367AU.html

Ottawa va créer un programme temporaire de soutien aux prêts bancaires
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081023/N102363AU.html

L'Ontario encourra un déficit de 500 millions $, dit le ministre des Finances
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081022/N1022187AU.html

Les conservateurs fédéraux préparent le terrain pour un retour aux déficits
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081022/N1022199AU.html

Les négos avec les talibans seulement dans le cadre de la Constitution
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/200810/23/01-32194-les-negos-avec-les-talibans-seulement-dans-le-cadre-de-la-constitution.php

Demande anodine refusée par les conservateurs
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200810/23/01-32050-demande-anodine-refusee-par-les-conservateurs.php


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)

Take a look at these:

The Awakening in Iraq

An Afghanistan Awakening?

on this

http://www.google.ca

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

From: "Ian Berg"
Subject: The Progressive Canadian Party

The Progressive Canadian Party ran less than half as many candidates in Election 2008 than Election 2006 and won 8, 231 fewer votes for a total of 5,920 (which is less than Christian Heritage, Marxist-Leninist or Liberatarian parties).   The PCP's star candidate was an Elvis impersonator.  It's leader Sinclair Stevens was invisible during the 2008 campaign.  When is the PCP going to fold and just encourage its supporters to vote ABC strategically?
 
Ian Berg
Calgary, Alberta

===================================
From: "Peter Robertson"

Joe,
 
                By way of a response to Ian Berg, I must agree that the performance of the Progressive Canadian Party has been disappointing.  The party started its life with an angry and enthusiastic group who were outraged by the Reform Party's takeover of the old Progressive Conservative Party.  Since then, however, it seems to have lost direction and a sense of purpose.
 
                Personally, I cannot abide some of the neo-cons who inhabit the present Conservative Party.  My dislike of these people has led me to cast my ballot elsewhere, regardless of the fact that Harper has now "won" two elections.   I refuse to associate with, or work with, troglodytes and dinosaurs, and I make this comment after having listened to many Conservative party proceedings.   I have had enough of their sotto voce mutterings about minorities and their whistful whingeing for the days of Diefenbaker.
 
                There is probably a place for a truly moderate Red Tory party in Canada.  It will never form a government, but it might well influence the formation of governments.  The PCP, however, needs a realistic platform, a formalized structure, an organizational drive, extensive fundraising, and manifest enthusiasm in order to become a force in Canadian politics.  At present, it lacks all of those things, and if it cannot organize itself effectively, its adherents should give up the fight and support other, more coherent parties.
 
Peter Robertson.

===================================
From: "Suan H.Booiman"
Subject: the lesser

Joe,
 
The suggestion to have a discussion on the future of the PCP seems such
a waste of time the White Rock Candidate had 272 from his large family.
John A died years back so live for the future, which is the voice of the people.
Without the Bloc Harper has a majority, time to say good bye to them.
 
Suan

===================================
From: Gord Hill,  PCParty Candidate

Dear Mr. Berg,
 
    As a candidate in this past election; I can assure you, that I have never felt as positive about our position as a party and for the need of the Progressive Canadian Party to be active and alive. We have lost many of the basic entitlements that make our country safe, secure and ours. These entitlements were fought for with the blood of our forefathers and should not be abandoned without a fight by us, for our sons and daughters. We must come out of the darkness and into the open free to decide our own future.
 
    Gord Hill
    PCParty Candidate
    Hamilton East - Stoney Creek

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From: "Brian D. Marlatt" <pcpartysswrc@3web.net>
Subject: A PC Party candidate replies

Rebuilding the Progressive Conservative legacy is happening, one step at a time and while I understand that it is in the CPC/Reform Pary interest to disparage Tory accomplishments they need first to explain why anyone would believe they have a mandate - only 22% of the eligible electorate gave them their support and the legality of the election is being challenged before the courts (will it be thrown out?).  Why would Canadians trust Harper and the Reform/CPC (they are so interchangeable)?  They are not even honest about who they are.
 
What did I achieve as a PC Party progressive-conservative? I asked hard questions, kept the progressive-conservative vision alive knowing that reconsideration of the Reform Party's right-wing "alliance" will need to happen before positive political realignment can happen. I stood up for the Confederation vision of Canada as one Canada, not an alliance of provinces. I was able to be a spokesperson for important issues, on the arts embattled by those who do not understand their importance to the soul of any people, to speak in aid of children and families who are struggling alone with autism and who feel abandoned by those in government who have not lived up to the promise of universal health care.

I was mentioned in a dozen articles, at length, and a smaller number of letters locally, as well as an election day Vancouver Sun letter on autism, a televised debate, was interviewed on student radio twice, and was given 60 seconds on Reform Party-friendly talk radio to make my case.  Key Media Releases were distributed nationally and are found at www.progressivecanadian.ca .  I appeared in five or six published photographs (it is a little strange to be recognized on the street, though). For all of that, I received slightly fewer votes than last time in which I was interviewed once and referred to only twice.   It is a base for the future.  I was not surprised to see the genuine Tory vote bleed away to the Greens and Liberals in either protest against the CPC or ABC strategic voting, as per the text of the note cited below. Subsequently, I have been interviewed post-election for an election roundup article that will include an election night photograph of my watching the results and was asked if I will run again.

Reason for concern: Stephen Harper's neo Conservatives have isolated Canada on the world stage. Will they understand that the neoconservative agenda is yesterday's agenda - it was always the wrong agenda, of course - that the financial crisis confronting the world originates in the neoconservatism they have borrowed from the far right of the American Republicans, the Bush agenda of libertarianism, laissez-faire irresponsible corporate tax cuts and deregulation? Will they understand they do not have mandate to change how Canada is governed? The senate, the courts, the relationship between Canada and its provinces have all been called into question but the critical questions arising out of this was not debated across the country and, of course, would require wholesale constitutional change even if it did result in proposals for such fundamental change, if it is not to provoke a constitutional crisis. That much is clear. How many of those elected as Harper Conservatives are really old members of the Reform Party and CA? Few people, at least few people outside of old Reform ridings, understand fully that Stephen Harper is really the leader of the old Reform Party. No leader made a statement or can legitimately declare they have a gain that declares they have the confidence of Canadians. It is another minority government. Will there be another election within a year? Probably more like a year and a half.

ps: Televised debate is still online at www.pasifik.ca, local election articles are still online, although I admit Shannon Tobin got better coverage on CBC and I should not have declined, uncertain about the quality of my French, to be interviewed by Radio-Canada International...and we did get good coverage locally, while the CPC candidate failed to show for debates (even claiming organizers were "anti-Conservative" - news to me as a PC Party progressive-conservative who was received very well), and I was not surprised to see the genuine Tory vote bleed away to the Greens and Liberals in either protest or ABC strategic voting, as per the note referenced above and cited below:

"Brian, just a note to say how much I enjoyed listening to your views during the election. I supported the Liberal candidate because I thought she had the best chance of defeating Harper. Although I did not cast my vote for you, I found your views intelligent and enlightened.

Despite the troublesome microphone issues, your knowledge and forward thinking came through loud and clear. I want to congratulate you on your efforts. Too often, the best people don't win. Please know, however, that your passion for Canada was noticed and appreciated.

Regards, ...."

A letter of thanks to the local paper:

The editor,

I would like to thank those who supported my campaign during the election and the Peace Arch News for its fair and balanced coverage. It is a challenge to stand for election without a large party organization today, more so than in anytime in Canadian parliamentary history. This is because political movements today are driving politics in Canada even more than party politics ever did; even the "party man" plays second fiddle to the righteous "true believer" of the political movement. And, yet, in our parliamentary democracy at its best, we are allowed the privilege of electing Members of Parliament for whom all Canadians are our constituents, not just fellow "true believers," and all of Canada is our constituency, not just local electors, to which we serve. It is in this spirit that I let my name stand.

I am pleased, too, that I was allowed to give voice to the concerns of those whose issues arose during the course of the election. I think especially of those in the arts and cultural communities who have seen their means and freedom of expression challenged in recent times and also of the children and families who feel abandoned by both the provincial and federal governments for their apparent unwillingness to apply the principles of universal health care and the Canada Health Act to the needs of children with Autism: political will, good will, and persuasion are the means to overcome any marginal constitutional barriers to aiding these truly worthy families and children.

I would like to thank, also, all of the people of this riding who did not vote for me for taking the time to listen to my voice.

Respectfully,

Brian Marlatt

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From: "Phyllis Wagg"
Subject: For the DD

Where are we going?
 
Today we have a government run by a political party which has characterized itself as the party of "free enterprise, free markets and free trade."  One of the most prominent advocates of that ideology had been Alan Greenspan.  Note that I use the past tense.  As head of the U.S. Fed he has been one of the most influential individuals in promoting free market ideology in the United States.
 
Greenspan, a student and supporter of Ayn Rand, wrote in The Objectivist Newsletter, August 1963:
 
"Protection of the consumer against 'dishonest and unscrupulous business practices' has become a cardinal ingredient of welfare statism.  Left to their own devices, it is alleged, businessmen would attempt to sell unsafe food and drugs, fraudulent securities, and shoddy buildings.  Thus, it is argued, the Pure Food and Drug Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the numerous building regulatory agencies are indispensable if the consumer is to be protected from the 'greed' of the businessman.
 
But it is precisely the 'greed' of the businessman or, more appropriately, his profit-seeking, which is the unexcelled protector of the consumer."
 
Our current Prime Minister echoed this concept in an article in the Report Magazine, June 2003 when he wrote:  "Private enterprise and trade… can turn individual selfishness into useful social outcomes."
 
Today our "free market" government has announced that it will be taking on further economic risk to shore up a financial system shattered by the impact of "fraudulent securities."   At the same time Greenspan has finally seen the light.  According to Martin Crutsinger of Associated Press, Greenspan, in his evidence before the House Oversight Committee, said that he and others are in a "state of shocked disbelief."  They believed that the free market would ensure that lending institutions did a good job of protecting their shareholders.
 
Henry Waxman, Committee Chair, suggested:  "Our regulators became enablers rather than enforcers.  Their trust in the wisdom of the markets was infinite.  The mantra became that government regulation is wrong.  The market is infallible." 
 
It was rather pathetic to see Stephen Harper arguing that this government's action to shore up the banks was a "market based transaction."  When governments bailout corporations with public funds this is not a market based solution but government intervention in the marketplace on behalf of private interests.
 
The question is where the government will go from here.  Will it try to maintain its naïve belief in the infallibility of the market or will it move further into the form of corporate fascism which has been unleashed as governments across the globe become the head waiters to financial interests or will they seek another solution to the current crisis?

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From: "Rene Moreau" <rtmoreau@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Emailing: To AllFYI re; 5th column and the prevalence thereof

To Fred Kuntz,
Toronto Star
Editor in Chief
To All-----FYI

re; 5th column ploy and the prevalence there-of.

    Over and over again, we keep seeing incidences where the military ploy 5th column, is being used by corporations to gain influence into our government, businesses, associations, watchdogs (regulators etc.) The results show almost every day in the news.

    By way of simplifying the description of  '5th column', the story is told of how Franco, in the Spanish civil war, was attacking a Spanish city with 4 columns of men. Where was the 5th column, you might ask? They were IN the city, impersonating city dwellers and working for Franco, from the inside. Like convincing the populace to give up rather than resist 4 columns of men, and undermining the defences. This particular ploy has become 'astute business practice', in the quest  to gain more power for corporate entities.

    For example, when the Finance Minister, Mr. Flaherty, comes out with a pronouncement lately, it is usually pro-corporate, like cutting their taxes or helping the financial business with taxpayers' money. This is not by accident. Yet we put nothing that I have seen, in the papers, of the dangers there-in. Sure we talk of lobbyists, but when the immediate management can 'handle' a minister, or management, to that level and we won't address the issue, do we not have a problem?

    When, for instance, the Investment Dealers Association is made SELF-REGULATING and hedge funds are left unregulated, (that is changing in Europe at least) and no one knows who let it happen, we should be concerned, right? In Europe, they realized that, all of a sudden, they had an entity called the Financial Services Authority to supposedly 'watch' for the kind of things that we're seeing now, world-wide. They were watching themselves! You can be quite sure this was done from inside government, there and here.

    Why else would we see the big push for privatization, getting implemented, despite the apt phrase 'Privatize the profits, socialize the debt', where we the taxpayers's foot the bill while the corporate world skims the profits?

Please, address the issue, openly, in print. Such ploys  work really well in the dark, not in the light.

Rene Moreau (416-489-8347)
219 Bowood Ave.
Toronto Ont. M4N1Y7

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From: Stewart Sinclair
Subject:
to laugh

Subprime crisis explanation by The Long Johns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-oIMJMGd1Q

Bird and Fortune - Financial Adviser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXBcmqwTV9s&feature=related

Bremner, Bird, and Fortune: George Parr (Army)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pcePHasv5w

Bird and Fortune (Washington Diplomat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BiQGaE5j2k&feature=related

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