Friday, October 31, 2008 

Canadian Wheat Board Wins 14 Consecutive Trade Challenge From Opponents In The USA!

"Since free trade began with the U.S. in 1989, there have been 14 American trade actions launched against Canadian wheat exports. The CWB has repeatedly shown that its marketing practices on behalf of Prairie farmers are fully compliant with international trade rules."
Grain Net

The Canadian Wheat Board faces right wing free market opponents on two fronts. First, there is Stephen Harper's neo-Reform party (they use the 'Conservative' banner now) and secondly there are the large American multinational grain companies.

Fourteen times now, the CWB has been challenged internationally for it's very successful marketing of western Canadian grain products. It has won every single court action against it!

However, the biggest threat to western grain producers still comes from Stephen Harper's blind adherence to radical 'unfettered free-market' ideology.

Canadians and Americans have recently had a good taste of how well 'unfettered free-market' ideology is working in the economy, the banking industry and the stock markets. I am sure that Harper's ideology would work equally as bad in the Canadian grain industry if he is left to have his way with the CWB!

Congratulations to the Canadian Wheat Board and its supporters!!

Associated Press

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 

The Time Has Come To Start Throwing Bankers In Jail (that includes bank presidents -CEO's and board members)!!


Today, the US Federal Reserve Board lowered prime lending rates to 1% in an attempt to kick start the economy by putting cheap money on the table and available for loans. HOWEVER ... the banks are sitting on their hands and silently hoarding cash that they refuse to loan at low rates.

Here is how 'free-enterprise' is working today:
The US Government has given $700 Billion TAX DOLLARS (that's money from the people) to the banks to start lending out in order to stimulate the economy. The banks have taken that money and are now sitting on it ..... why? Because they are GREEDY BASTARDS and don't like the low interest rates. They want to use tax money to make their next fortunes with! (H/T to Mound of Sound!)

"The White House press secretary said that banks and other financial businesses that have received federal bailout funds need to quit dragging their feet and start making loans.

“What we’re trying to do is get banks to do what they are supposed to do, which is support the system that we have in America. And banks exist to lend money,” Perino said during a press briefing Tuesday.

The Bush Administration agreed earlier this month to set aside $250 billion of the $700 billion financial bailout package approved by Congress. The federal government would then use the $250 billion to buy shares of banks and other financial institutions in a move designed to bolster confidence in the industry so that the frozen credit market could thaw.

But while many banks have agreed to take billions in federal funds, the White House says that financial institutions have been hoarding the money."

Business Journal



Progressive Bloggers

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 

New Democrats Made Huge $urge In Quebec During The Last Federal Election

At the end of a federal election campaign, any party or candidates that earn at least 10% of the vote in a riding get much of their actual election expenditures reimbursed by Elections Canada.

At the end of the 2006 election in the Quebec ridings, the New Democrats only qualified in 4 federal constituencies for reimbursement. After the recent campaign, they achieved over 10% of the vote in 50 of the provinces's 75 ridings.

You can expect to see and hear a lot more from the federal New Democrats in la Belle Province during the next federal campaign!

Montreal Gazette

 

Robert Dziekanski's Mother Threatens Legal Action Against RCMP


The mother of the man killed by the RCMP in the Vancouver Airport last year is threatening legal action against the force in light of yet another postponement of an inquiry into his death.

The official inquiry has been delayed a number of times over the last 10 months. A further postponement has now been called moving the date from November to January.

A spokesperson of the official Commission of Inquiry has also reported that the commission has been unable to get access to RCMP files.

Enough is enough. The RCMP killed Robert Dziekanski in a brutal manner. Someone MUST be charged criminally with his death and with the false information and cover-up perpetrated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after the incident!

Globe & Mail


More Buckdog on Dziekanski killing ......

Monday, October 27, 2008 

Saskatchewan New Democrats Will Choose New Leader By Full Membership Vote At Convention

When Saskatchewan New Democrats convene in Regina on June 6, 2009 to pick a new leader, it will be accomplished by a 'one member - one vote' method, unlike certain other so-called 'progressive' political parties who stick with the ancient (and undemocratic) 'delegate' format.

Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Saturday, October 25, 2008 

Autumn On The Prairies


Here in Saskatchewan, the leaves have turned colour and are falling ... and the geese are starting to flock up, getting ready to fly south.

Have a nice weekend!

Friday, October 24, 2008 

Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Leadership Race ..... begins!

There wasn't a lot of fanfare to the announcement that former Saskatchewan Premier, Lorne Calvert was stepping down as leader of the Sask New Democrats. Elected Leader in 2001, he automatically assumed the role of Premier vacated by Roy Romanow.

Calvert surprised many with a 2003 provincial election win but the loss of government in the fall of 2007, ending 16 years of New Democratic administration, convinced him that it was time to pass the torch to a new leader.

So who are the hopefuls for the race to lead the Saskatchewan New Democrats?

Nearly everyone would agree that the clear front runner is Dwain Lingenfelter, a former Deputy Premier to Roy Romanow. Lingenfelter was a long time Member of the Legislature first elected in 1978 and again in 1982, 1988*, 1991, 1995 and 1999. He served in a number of cabinet portfolios under Romanow. He is currently farming in rural Saskatchewan and working as an executive in the oil industry. (Lingenfelter was defeated in 1986 but won a by-election in 1988 - H/T to Stephen)

Andrew Thomson is a former NDP Finance Minister (as well as other portfolios) under Calvert. He did not seek re-election in 2007 and has been working in Ontario. It is thought that he may make a bid for the leadership role.

Dion Tchorzewski is a lawyer in Regina and son of the beloved Ed Tchorzewski who served in many Cabinet positions under Premiers Blakeney, Romanow and Calvert. Ed passed away this spring and was one of the most respected politicians in Saskatchewan since Tommy Douglas. Dion is likewise, well respected in the party and could make a run for leadership.

Young turks in the Caucus such as Warren McCall and Cam Broten have apparently both indicated that they are not going to seek the leadership. Veteran caucus members such as Len Taylor, Harry Van Mulligen, Judy Junor and John Nilson are not expected to run. From outside the caucus, there has been speculation that activist Nettie Wiebe may run again. Her showing in 2001 was impressive, but she simply cannot win this one.


I personally have been impressed by the performance of a newly elected MLA from Prince Albert, Darcy Furbur, whose performance in the Legislature has been mature and seasoned for a rookie MLA. He is definitely someone to keep your eye on in the future.

There is also a dark horse who should not be underestimated. Moose Jaw MLA, Deb Higgins could be a candidate who makes it to the final ballot. Coming from Labour but attractive to the Saskatchewan New Democratic Women and other factions, Deb could mount a major challenge to Lingenfelter.

Calvert is staying on as Leader of the New Democrats (and Leader of the Official Opposition) until his replacement is selected by the NDP membership in June, 2009.

Many New Democrats will make their selection based on who they think can limit Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party to a one term government. From this pack of potential leadership hopefuls ... there is only one or two who could bring that wish to reality. Stay tuned .... more to come as the weeks go by!

Leftdog
Regina

Thursday, October 23, 2008 

Ignatieff And Rae ... (Peace for now)

Ignatieff and Rae ... peace for now.

H/T to Fuddle Duddle

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 

There Is A Difference Between 'Liking' Politics And 'Understanding' The Science Of Politics - Mr. Dion Is Proof

There is a huge difference between 'liking' politics and 'practicing' the science of politics. Never has that been better demonstrated than to watch some Liberal bloggers spending time and effort to convince Mr. Dion to stay on as leader of the Liberal Party. Never have I seen a better example of the phrase ... 'the blind leading the blind'.

Sources within the Liberal Party are now disclosing that Mr. Dion was provided with detailed and sound advice concerning the communications strategy needed to counter a Tory onslaught in the early days of his leadership. He did not take the advice. In fact, it is now very clear that Mr. Dion rarely took advice from anyone.

The problem with Dion is that he is an academic 'know it all'. The fact that he got himself elected leader of the Libs had very little to do with his knowledge of the practice of the science of politics. He was at the right place at the right time on the floor of a political convention. He thought he won leadership because he was a brilliant politician. That is not the reality of what happened at the last Liberal leadership convention.

Had Dion been less rigid in his own self centered mindset, things may have gone differently for Liberals.

Political 'science' is based on observable facts and relations - actions and outcome. Political 'alchemy' is based on trying to turn 'lead into gold.' Stephan Dion is a political alchemist.

So what does all this say about the virtual lemmings in the blogosphere who are encouraging and working to try and salvage Mr. Dion's leadership?

Well, I think it is summed up, quite accurately, in the title of this post.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 

Company That Made Huge Payments to Liberals In Sponsorship Scandal Will Reimburse Taxpayers

This is the kind of crap that should have been attended to LONG before this election:

"OTTAWA — A company that made large payments to a former Liberal organizer has offered to pay back millions of dollars to taxpayers in relation to its role in the sponsorship scandal, sources say.

Groupe Polygone is involved in secret discussions with federal lawyers in the hopes of reaching an out-of-court settlement in Ottawa's massive $44-million lawsuit against the main players in the sponsorship scandal.

After waging a three-year fight to have the lawsuit dismissed, Polygone's lawyers brought a motion before the Quebec Superior Court last week to delay the civil trial to allow further discussions with Ottawa.

Mr. Justice André Wery of Quebec Superior Court agreed to Polygone's request, and postponed the proceedings until October, 2009.

Sources said Polygone's lawyers have offered about $5-million to settle the firm's portion of the lawsuit. The federal government rejected the offer, but is still involved in discussions in an effort to obtain more money.

“The departments [of Justice and Public Works] have been seeking an extra $10-million from Polygone,” a federal official said.

Polygone was a central player in the sponsorship program, receiving more than $35-million to put federal advertising in its publications and at its events, such as hunting and fishing shows."

Globe & Mail

Monday, October 20, 2008 

Rahim Jaffer Was Told Of His Election Loss AFTER He Gave His Victory Speech ... then went and hid in the kitchen for an hour!



When Conservative Rahim Jaffer found out he lost the election last Tuesday night to NDP candidate Linda Duncan after he had earlier delivered his victory speech at a bar called 'The Ranch' in Edmonton-Strathcona, Alta., he hid in the bar's kitchen for an hour.

According to the CBC TV's The National report, Mr. Jaffer, who had held the seat for 11 years, arrived at his campaign party "victorious" and to supporters who "were ready for a celebration." Two television networks had announced he had won, but he later had to tell reporters his statement was premature. He went into the bar's kitchen for an hour, later emerged without officially conceding defeat, and left the bar without taking any questions from the media. On Thursday, Mr. Jaffer finally conceded defeat to Ms. Duncan and congratulated her after the riding's returning officer validated the results that afternoon.

Ms. Duncan, an environmental lawyer, is considered an NDP star, after snatching the seat by a margin of one per cent or 463 votes."
The Hill Times

Photo by and courtesy of Shaughn Butts/Edmonton Journal

 

Troubles in 'Liberal Land'

Even though I haven't blogged for a few days, I have been keeping abreast of what is going in Liberal Land. It seems that Mr. Dion is not accepting his defeat very well. He feels betrayed and hurt apparently. Someone should tell Mr. Dion that in his bid to become Prime Minister of Canada, he was laying an offer on the table to be a SERVANT of the people of the nation. The role of a good 'leader' is to serve the people ... because after all, the people of this land is what Canada is all about. Somewhere along the way, Dion seems to have missed the point that regardless of what he wanted, it is the citizens 'wants' that are paramount. They did not want him to be their leader, and that's that. Case closed. Fini.

Pout if you must. Be hurt if that is your inclination.

The people of Canada decided that they did not want to take you up on your offer to serve them. This is not about you, Mr. Dion, ... this is about what Canadians wanted.

Move along.


-The Daily Gleaner
-National Post


Postscript:
However, if you are a practicing Liberal with a political deathwish ... you may want to join with other virtual lemmings .... HERE!

Friday, October 17, 2008 

Buck Off








Well I blogged nearly every single day of the Federal Election. Time to 'book off' for a couple of days!

I am going to keep myself busy by:
-rolling up the garden hose and putting away the summer deck stuff
-dropping in to the Regina Coin Show at Western Christian College ... drop by!
-going to the Saskatchewan Roughrider / Hamilton Tiger Cat CFL game on Sunday


So ... have a nice weekend ... everyone!

Thursday, October 16, 2008 

Politics of Defeat: The Decline of the Liberal Party in Canada

Firstly, let me say that I am not trying to be cruel to Liberals, mere hours after their dismal electoral showing on Tuesday. However, for students of political science, and those Liberals who still care about the future of their party, there is a book that you should dig out of the dusty shelves of your local library.

In 1980, a Saskatchewan writer wrote a brilliant analysis of what had happened to the once great Liberal Party of Saskatchewan. He traced the history of the party from Saskatchewan's entry into Confederation in 1905 up until they were completely wiped out of the Saskatchewan Legislature for the first time in 1978.

His analysis traced how the Sask Libs went from being a broad based rural and urban party to a minor urban rump party ... and finally into the dumpster electorally. It observes how Liberal ranks dissolved and polarized to either end of the political spectrum.

There is a clear similarity to what may be happening with the Liberal Party of Canada as demonstrated in the 2008 Election.

Students of political science should talk to their local librarian and get your hands on a copy of Politics of Defeat: The Decline of the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan. Wilson, Barry. 1980. Saskatoon: Western Producer Books.

 

Grading Buckdog's Election Predictions!

On the day before the vote, I made a number of predictions. So ... how did I do?

-Harper and the Conservatives will win a reduced minority government. He will lose a few seats (most likely in Quebec but a few scattered here and there).
Well, I was right about another Harper minority. I thought he would lose a few more seats to the Bloc than he did so his minority was not reduced but slightly increased.

-The Liberals will lose a few seats also, but will retain Official Opposition ... which they will perform dismally once again.
Yup! I was correct on this one. No government (majority or minority) for Dion!

-The New Democrats will win a few more seats (mostly in British Columbia - but also in southern Ontario).
Yes sir! Fairly accurate on this one - although I thought they would do a bit better in B.C. but never expected an NDP seat in Edmonton!

-The Bloc will pick up a couple of seats from the Conservatives in Quebec.
Right again. Although in honesty, I thought the number of Bloc seats would increase from 2006 but in reality the total number stayed the same.

-The Green Party will be 'a mile wide and an inch deep' and will not win a single seat anywhere in the nation.
Absolutely! I could be unkind and mock some Green bloggers who were predicting the 'break through' that would give them some seats in the House of Commons. If I learned anything this election, it was how aggressive and unreasonable Green supporters can be. Why is that .... I think it has to do with a 'self righteous' streak that exists in their ideology. Because they essentially have good intentions for the planet and the environment, they have little patience with anyone they perceive is blocking their way. A degree of maturity is needed in this party.

So ... by and large ... it would be hard to have been more accurate than I was! (Talk about a 'self righteous' streak that exists in my ideology. eh!) ;)

Leftdog
Regina

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 

So Liberals ... Did All Of Those Attacks On Layton And The New Democrats Advance Dion's Fortune One Iota?

As a blogging New Democrat, I take no comfort in having to say to 'some' (but not all) of my Liberal blogging colleagues ... did all of those attacks on Layton and the New Democrats help you folks? Did post after post after post trying to portray Layton as a 9/11 'denier' help Dion?

I think not. So what did you gain with such blatant nonsense?

 

and just for the record ... Dion LIES Too!

Stephane Dion has spent a lot of time pointing out the lies that Stephen Harper has been telling during the campaign. Dion is correct - Harper lies.

However, just to set the record straight, Mr. Dion has been telling some whoppers about the New Democrats! Stephane Dion has been urging New Democrats to vote Liberal to 'stop Harper'. Yet, more than once this campaign, the Liberal leader has claimed that he would not co-operate with the NDP in the House of Commons to stop Harper.

We shouldn't be surprised. Dion orchestrated his caucus to abstain from far too many votes during the last parliament, that let Harper do whatever he wanted.

I need to remind readers that a plank in the New Democratic campaign pledges to reverse a planned $50-billion corporate tax cut because the NDP wants to address the concerns of average families, not corporations.

But just listen to how Dion LIES about cancelling the PLANNED tax cut to big business: "I can’t govern with somebody who wants to raise the taxes by $50 billion," said Mr. Dion."
The Halifax Chronicle Herarld

AT NO TIME have the New Democrats said that they would RAISE corporate taxes by $50 Billion! What we have said is that we are not going to implement Harper's scheduled corporate welfare scheme for Big Business.

Mr. Dion's pants are on fire. He is going to be burned in just a few short hours!

 

Stephen Harper On Canada - On Election Day

... and about 1/3 of Canadians are going to vote for a man who hates our nation as it is today:

"Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it. Canadians make no connection between the fact that they are a Northern European welfare state and the fact that we have very low economic growth, a standard of living substantially lower than yours, a massive brain drain of young professionals to your country, and double the unemployment rate of the United States."
- Stephen Harper, then vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition, in a June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing American think tank.

"Your country [the USA], and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world."
-Stephen Harper, then vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition, in a June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing American think tank.

"Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status, led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task."
- Stephen Harper in his article "It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada," December 12th, 2000.

"A culture of defeat..."
- Stephen Harper, describing the Atlantic provinces, May 2001.

"In terms of the unemployed, of which we have over a million-and-a-half, don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance."
-Stephen Harper, then vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition, in a June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing American think tank.

"What we clearly need is experimentation with market reforms and private delivery options [in health care]."
- Stephen Harper, then President of the NCC, 2001.

"We also support the exploration of alternative ways to deliver health care. Moving toward alternatives, including those provided by the private sector, is a natural development of our health care system."
- Stephen Harper, Toronto Star, October 2002.

Let's face it, Stephen Harper HATES Canada the way it is! He wants it to be ideologically more like the Bush's America! DO NOT VOTE CONSERVATIVE ... please!


tag

Monday, October 13, 2008 

Buckdog's Election Prognostication

So ... here's the scoop ... predicted results are in comparison to the results of the 2006 Election:

-Harper and the Conservatives will win a reduced minority government. He will lose a few seats (most likely in Quebec but a few scattered here and there).

-The Liberals will lose a few seats also, but will retain Official Opposition ... which they will perform dismally once again.

-The New Democrats will win a few more seats (mostly in British Columbia - but also in southern Ontario).

-The Bloc will pick up a couple of seats from the Conservatives in Quebec.

-The Green Party will be 'a mile wide and an inch deep' and will not win a single seat anywhere in the nation.

9:51 PM - Election Eve 2007
Regina, Saskatchewan

 

Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here!



They say that there is a sign over the entrance to Hades ... upon it is written" 'Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter' HERE!

Sunday, October 12, 2008 

Chicago's Sheriff Refuses To Remove Tenants In Foreclosure Evictions

Just passing this along. I like this story.

"Last week, Sheriff Tom Dart of Cook County, Illinois issued a press release that quickly became news across the country; he was suspending all foreclosure evictions in the area because banks weren't notifiying tenants about their landlord's problems. "These mortgage companies only see pieces of paper, not people, and don't care who's in the building," Dart said in the release. "We're just not going to evict innocent tenants. It stops today." The Illinois Bankers Association quickly fired back with its own public statement, calling Dart's move "vigilantism." But supporters have been just as vocal; one local resident wrote a letter to the Chicago Tribune hailing Dart as a true American patriot ... "
Time Online

 

Three Ballot Boxes From Advance Polls Missing In Quebec - Do we need independent observers?

Since when does Elections Canada ask or allow scrutineers from the competing political parties to take ballot boxes home with them overnight?? WTF?!

Using this example as advance warning of problems that could occur ... Elections Canada has two days to get their act together and ensure that ALL poll officials know what the hell they are doing for E-Day! If this turns out to be a tight election, there is absolutely NO room for nonsense like this with missing ballot boxes and broken seals!!

We are NOT Zimbabwe ... at least not yet ...

CBC News

Saturday, October 11, 2008 

Just So That Voters Remember .... Here is video of the RCMP Raid On the National Headquarters of the Conservative Party of Canada - April 15, 2008



The Star

 

John McCain Booed By Republican Supporters At His Own Rally

Right wingers south of the border are becoming outright nasty in the face of electoral defeat in next months presidential election.

"Speaking in a Minneapolis suburb, McCain - who had escalated character attacks on Obama in recent days - found himself in the unlikely role of defending his rival in the face of sometimes hostile questions from frustrated Republican loyalists.

He drew boos from a crowd packed into a high school gymnasium when he insisted to a skeptical supporter that Obama was a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared (of) as president of the United States."

McCain appeared to be trying to dial down the ugly tone that has crept into his rallies, including anti-Obama taunts from the crowd, as his campaign has faltered amid a financial crisis that polls show most Americans believe Obama would be better able to handle.

McCain's own sharpened rhetoric, including questions about Obama's association with former 1960s radical William Ayers - an issue he raised again on Friday - has been seen as counterproductive to attracting unaffiliated voters.
"We want to fight and I want to fight, but we will be respectful," McCain said during a question-and-answer session with voters at a campaign event in Lakeville. But when he then added, "I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments," the crowd jeered loudly."

Canada.com

Friday, October 10, 2008 

Why New Democrats Will NOT Vote For The Liberals - Dion's Double Standard!!

Dion's Liberals are so flaky it is unbelievable. On one hand, they have dispatched Bob Rae to tell Liberals that the New Democrats are their main target for the remainder of the election.

Meanwhile, Dion himself is urging New Democrats to vote Liberal to 'stop' Harper. Yet in the same breath, Dion claims that he would not co-operate with the NDP in the House of Commons to stop Harper .... and to finish it all off, he tells a lie about an NDP promise and adopts Harper's policy on corporate tax cuts!! A plank of the New Democratic campaign pledges to reverse a planned $50-billion corporate tax cut because the NDP wants to address the concerns of average families, not corporations. But just listen to how Dion LIES about cancelling the PLANNED tax cut to big business: "I can’t govern with somebody who wants to raise the taxes by $50 billion," said Mr. Dion."
The Halifax Chronicel Herard

Call him flaky or cheezy ... your choice. Liberals will climb into bed and form another functioning coalition government with Harper ... letting Harper get away with his political agenda just like this last spring and summer.

Those who founded the New Democratic Party used to have a saying that is still completely true .... Liberal / Tory ... same old story!!

Thursday, October 09, 2008 

Stephane Dion - Strike 1 ... Strike 2 ... Strike 3 ..... Unbelievable!!



Inept ........ Incoherent ........ Incompetent ..... and you want our vote to go to this guy?!

 

Aggressive Liberal Canvassers Arrested ...

I wonder if this was anyone that we know ...... ???

Two campaigners for Windsor West Liberal candidate Larry Horwitz were arrested on Tuesday after they shoved pamphlets in the faces of people at a grocery store.

According to the police report, a store employee noticed one of the campaigners push a pamphlet so aggressively at a customer that the customer snatched it and threw it back. When store staff asked the campaigners to leave, they refused. "They said, 'No, I have a right to stay here,'" McNorton said.

Police were called - but even after the officers arrived, the campaigners didn't relent. Windsor police said the incident happened around 2:20 p.m. at the Zehrs store on Dougall Avenue. "They were inside the store, approaching customers with pamphlets, stopping them from doing their shopping," said Staff Sgt. Ed McNorton. [...]

Horwitz's campaign manager - who didn't want her name published - said the two individuals have been instructed that their behaviour wasn't acceptable. "During any kind of election, you get hundreds of different volunteers coming in that want to show their support for the candidate," she said. "Sometimes it's a balancing act between the enthusiasm and what's supposed to be done."

She said the two individuals now know that when people ask them to leave, they should leave immediately."

Windsor Star

 

Foo Fighters Accuse John McCain Of Stealing Their Song 'My Hero' For His Campaign

The Foo Fighters are fighting mad at Republican candidate, John McCain, for using one of their songs without permission at rallies. Good for the Foo Fighters ... McCain needs a good 'smack down'!

-Associated Press
-Guardian UK

 

Think Tank Already Challenging Ottawa Over Cost Of Afghanistan War

Numbers released by he Rideau Institute, an Ottawa based think tank, are challenging the cost of the war in Afghanistan as estimated by Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page today. Kevin Page's numbers are bad enough, estimating that Canadians will spend between $11 to $14 Billion on the War. That estimate amounts to about $1500 per Canadian household!

But the Rideau Institute numbers are much higher .... "The study was published on the eve of another long-awaited report from Kevin Page, the parliamentary budget officer. His analysis of war costs has been delayed while he sought all-party agreement to make it public during the election campaign. The Institute estimated the mission had already cost $17.2 billion, counting ammunition, equipment, salaries, health care, disability and death benefits, and economic aid projects. It says another $11.1 billion can be expected over the next three years."!
The Star

So ... if the Harper Government and the Liberal administration before it had listened to Layton and the New Democrats, this outrageous expenditure of public funds would not have been so extreme and a portion of it could have perhaps been used to actually do something constructive in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, almost 100 Canadian soldiers are dead, and you are paying a fortune for Harper to play 'Bush's lapdog' in international affairs!!

A bloody shame!


NOTE: Military apologists, Conservatives and Right Wing Liberals will likely contest the Rideau Institute's numbers saying that they include salaries and benefits for the troops. What refutes their argument is the increase in the actual size of the Canadian Armed Forces since Harper took power.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008 

Urgent Memo From Central Nova Tory Campaign - 'Get your Lib friends to vote Conservative and stop the NDP'!

Peter MacKay is running scared from the New Democrat onslaught!

 

Conservatiives Still Don't 'Get' The Arts - But They Are Backtracking Now For Political Reasons

On September 16th, I published a post, 'Harperites Just Don't Get The Arts'.

Well they got stung ... it is hurting them ... and guess what! A big old reversal of some of their arts policy today:

"The Conservatives are canceling plans to restrict which film and TV projects are eligible to receive tax credits -- a move that had enraged the arts community."
CTV News

Monday, October 06, 2008 

Only ONE Political Party Had It Right On Afghanistan ... (and it wasn't the Liberals, Greens or Conservatives)!

"There has got to be a new path" for the West in Afghanistan because "clearly things aren't working," Layton said, citing the booming heroin trade, increasing civilian and military casualties and the inability of Western forces to control large parts of the country.

The NDP backs negotiations and increased UN involvement, Layton said. If elected, "we would launch a diplomatic offensive" after bringing Canada's 2,500 soldiers home."

CBC News

Sunday, October 05, 2008 

'Taliban' Peter MacKay Open To Talks With Afghanistan Rebels

Remember when all of the Conservatives and right wing Liberals (who should be Conservatives) were attacking Jack Layton because he said we would probably end up talking to the Taliban - so why go through the deaths of Canadian men and women and move the talks up front! WELL ... the Conservatives went crazy and right wing Liberals were beside themselves.

So ... who was correct two full years ago!
Tories tried to portray New Democrats as being 'unpatriotic' and not 'supportive' of the troops.

We knew what we were talking about - we were correct - and you were WRONG!!

-CBC News
-CTV News

 

Alberta Liberals Consider Name Change

The Globe & Mail

Two points come to mind:
- Can you blame them?
- Good timing ... Federal Liberal strategists will be going mental this morning over this one!

Saturday, October 04, 2008 

Will Elizabeth May Skinny Dip With Rick Mercer?

National Newswatch

(Psst ... don't tell JimBobby)!

 

Afghanistan - The New Democrats Have A Clear Policy ... What about the others!



The issue that most of the candidates are NOT talking about this campaign is the Canadian mission in Afghanistan. Let's change that ... let's get Canadians talking about what the Conservatives, Liberals and Greens are saying on the issue. Let's see where each Party stands.

 

Bob Rae In Saskatchewan Helping Harper Win Seats!

I would not be the first person to call Liberal convert, Bob Rae an idiot. Here's why:
"SASKATOON -- Liberal strategy needs to shift focus to the NDP in the campaign's final days, according to Ontario Liberal Bob Rae, who spent an hour pumping up Saskatoon Grits Friday."
Regina Leader-Post

Saskatchewan has 14 Federal ridings. The Conservatives hold 13 and the Liberal's Ralph Goodale holds 1. In this election, the Libs are a distant third in at least 12 of the 14 seats and perhaps a close third or second in one northern seat.

Rae's idiotic plea to Saskatchewan Liberals to attack the NDP may make sense to partisan extremists like Cherniak ... but I can tell you that Saskatchewan Conservatives and Mr. Harper are thanking Bob Rae for contributing to the Tory effort.

Idiot!

A bit more on the Saskatchewan scene ....

Friday, October 03, 2008 

Chickens Come Home To Roost For Dion After Supporting Harper 43 TIMES In Parliamentary Votes!



Dion is a WEAK leader - his performance in the last Parliament was GUTLESS!

Dear Mr. Dion;
LEAD - FOLLOW - OR GET OUT OF THE WAY!
Yours truly,
The Canadian People


-Will The Harper - Dion Coalition Government Continue For Another Year?

-Dion's Liberals Will Allow Harper's Conservative Government To Continue In Power With Votes Tonight

-Thank Dion For Every Day That Harper Remains Our Prime Minister

Thursday, October 02, 2008 

"Men must convince women to have more children" - Liberal Candidate!

While reading an article in the Calgary Herald concerning Conservative MP, Rob Anders 'no show' at an all candidates debate, I found this bizarre little gem from the Liberal candidate!

"Liberal candidate Jennifer Pollock, a mother of four, said the government needs to increase immigration, while men must "convince women to have more children" to ensure there are new workers supporting the economy as seniors retire.

"Canadians' birth rate is so low," Pollock said later. "I don't suggest trying to control women's reproduction. But the truth is, if we don't have an increase in our birth rate, then immigration is the only other solution."

Calgary Herald

WTF! If Canadian women don't start pumping out vast numbers of babies ... then immigration is our only last resort!!!

Would someone PLEASE tell me if this is Liberal Party policy??? (Where's Cherniak - maybe he can explain ...)!

Wednesday, October 01, 2008 

Deranged Independent Candidate Wants Gays To Be Executed - He should actually READ his bloody bible!

This is the face of a deranged independent candidate who told a high school audience that gay persons should be executed because that is what his bible tells him!

"Police are investigating whether an independent federal candidate committed a hate crime by telling high school students homosexuals should be executed. David Popescu was invited to participate in a federal candidates' discussion at Sudbury Secondary School on Tuesday. He made the comment after a student asked his opinion of gay marriage. Within hours, the Greater Sudbury Police Service said they were investigating. "We are actively conducting a criminal investigation in this matter," deputy police chief Frank Elsner said."
The Sudbury Star

Too bad that this lunatic didn't actually read his bible ... here is what it says if a married man has sex with a woman who is married to someone else:

"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel."
Deuteronomy 22:22


According to 'the bible' the death penalty would ALSO apply for each and every case of adultery in Canada. Trust me ... the executioners would be busy!

I respect this lunatics right to free speech ... but he should be mocked and laughed at everywhere he goes!

Idiot!



Follow leftdog on Twitter




About Me

Archives

BANNED FOR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR

  • -Carmichael-
  • Things I Read

    • -Canadian Political Viewpoints-
    • -ZAG-
    • -Next Year Country-
    • -Huffington Post: Canada-
    • -LEFTIST JAB-
    • -Let Freedom Rain-
    • -Informed On Information-
    • -Wellington Post-NDP-
    • -Trapped In A Whirlpool-
    • -Larry Hubich's Blog-
    • -ROGERISM-
    • -Leftdog's Daily KOS Blog Page-
    • -RIDER PROPHET-
    • -Dipper Chick
    • -Ideagist -
    • -Al Barger's MORETHINGS.COM-
    • -Canadian Cynic-
    • Saskatchewan Progressive Bloggers
    • *NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY*
    • My Zimbio
      Top Stories
    • Blogarama - The Blog Directory
    • Politics Blogs - Blog Top Sites
      View blog authority
    • Display Pagerank
    • Canada's NDP
Powered by Blogger
and Blogger Templates