*BREAKING NEWS*

TINY, BUT PERSISTANT REPUBLIC LAUNCHES "FALKLAND ISLANDS" STYLE WAR AGAINST COMMUNIST CHINA
Daveberta Daily Star
By: Maxwell T. Ferdinand, Holtopia Bureau Chief

On May 31 at approximately 10:45p.m. (Holtopian standard time), armed commando forces of the Republic of Holtopia launched a tactical assault on the People's Republic of China, securing 3 acres of rice patties. The Holtopian commando’s outfitted in silver tennis shoes and green alien costumes, moved swiftly across the Chinese county-side causing much confusion in the local population as to who these green and silver costumed folks were. This hilarious confusion seems to be the strength of the small Holtopian army, and has led to the creation of their motto, "Laughter, Stealth, Strike."

The President of Holtopia declared May 31 to be a great day in the life of the tiny republic. "Today, we conquer China. Tomorrow, the world!"

A Chinese Government spokesperson described the invasion as a "simple domestic disturbance, which will be dealt with in due time."


*PRESS RELEASE*

DAVEBERTA SUPPORTS HOLTOPIAN INVASION
Office of the Ministry of Social Revolution

"It is my duty to announce that the greatest of the tiny little republics, Holtopia, has launched a "Falkland Islands" style war against the People's Republic of China" the President of Daveberta said at a press conference late last night. The President subsequently announced that the Grand Republic of Daveberta will offer financial aid, "tactical advice," and replacement tennis shoes to the glorious and blessed leader of Holtopia.

The President also described the war as a great economic opportunity for the growing tennis shoe industry that has boomed since the beginning of the NHL Hockey Strike.

my royal week

Well, for those of you who didn't know, Her Majesty the Queen was in Edmonton this week to help celebrate Alberta's 100th Anniversary. As a third generation Albertan, who's family arrived as pioneers in Alberta in 1896 (before it was even Alberta), I was looking forward to celebrating the 100th Anniversary of my home province. I had the opportunity to attend two events, one good, and one less than good. :P

On Monday's soggy afternoon, my good friend Lindsay and I made our way over to Commonwealth Stadium for what had been played up as Alberta's "Big Birthday Bash". Well, if by "Big" they meant small, and by "Bash" they meant sucks, and by "Birthday" they meant Ralph's going away party, then they were right on the mark. It was a cold, rainy, dreary, cloudy, and cold day here in Edmonton. The event started out with us finding our seats and pulling on our plastic rain parkas. On our way to find our seats, we went to pick up a free Alberta 2005, Alberta, and Canadian Flags. I'm assuming due to the low turnout (about 15,000 out of 50,000 tickets distributed) the volunteers were handing out flags like they were going out of style. Not only did I get 8 "Royal Visit" buttons dumped into my hands, but I also got 3 Alberta 2005 flags, 8 Alberta flags, and 6 Canadian flags. Sounds like a sound use of Provincial Tax Dollars.

After we found our seats (we were soaked from head to toe by that point), we unfortunately had to sit for the next hour and listen to two of Edmonton's "local celebrities" ramble on and on about how great Alberta is and how great the history of our province is, blah, blah, blah...

Due to the rain and cold about 80% of the entertainment was cancelled. Apparently there was no contingency plan for the party. In Alberta, where the weather can change on a dime, it surprised me that there wasn't some kind of contingency plan.

So, a couple of marching bands trumped in the Stadium, the main band was cancelled (so they stuck in a CD, very very classy), and then in came Ralph and his wife in a sporty little car. Woo hoo. The crowd was less than excited. So far, the day sucked.

Then the moment all 15,000 of us were waiting for, Her Majesty the Queen and His Highness the Duke of Edinburgh arrived. Their plane had been delayed, so they arrived about half an hour later than scheduled. They came in, the crowd, wet and cold, cheered. She walked around, and then sat down in a tent. At that point some singer came on stage and started singing some song about Alberta. At that point, we left. So, not only was there no “big party” at the end of the celebration (which we had been promised), but it seems they skipped the celebration entirely. Not even a piece of cake. Well, Happy Birthday, Alberta.

Reeling from the suckiness of the Alberta event, I was looking forward to the Government of Canada dinner in honour of the Royal visitors at Northlands Agricom on Tuesday evening. Things looked good, I rented a tux, my date was beautiful in her stunning pink evening gown, and we were ready to go.

Driving up in our taxi, we joined the line to get in the Agricom. Taking a look up the line of about 300 guests (I believe there were around 1200 guests at the dinner), I could see Advanced Ed Minister Dave Hancock, Tory MP Kevin Sorenson, and Liberal MLA Mo Elsalhy and their guests. Entering the main reception area, I spied with my little political eye many a politician. Jack Layton and Olivia Chow, Weslyn Mather, Jason Kenney, Jim Prentice, Ken Epp, Rahim Jaffer, James Rajotte, Rona Ambrose, Stephen Mandel, Michael Phair, etc, etc, etc… Also there was daveberta’s good friend Nic who looked fantastic (as usual).

The night smelled of decadence. It was like I was a member of the bourgeoisie for an evening and it was fun and funny at the same time. People looked great and I had some very interesting conversations with some very interesting people.

Sitting at my table were also some very interesting people. One of them, who I shall call “Lord Eric Chesterfield” (he looked kind of like this), was a British chap who was on the “Palace Invitation list” as he put it. He was an interesting gentleman who entertained us with stories of his entertaining the Royals on his private yatch in Victoria. He was so connected he even pointed out who the Queen’s hairdresser was.

Also sitting at our table was a member of the Palace staff; one of the Queen’s Footmen, which from what I understand is like a personal assistant/butler. He was a very nice guy who had some real cool stories.

When her Majesty was presented in, she was dressed like a Queen, from head to toe. The Prime Minister said a speech and a toast, and then the Queen stepped up to the mike and replied. During her response, she switched from English to French a number of times (which confused many people in the hall, as this is Alberta). She had a very nice reply and handled herself very well. Following her reply, the night progressed very smoothly.

So, overall, it was a very enjoyable evening.

Cheers.

D :)

forces of darkness defeated in labrador

Well, it seems that the Liberals have held their ground against Stephen Harper's army of darkness in the sprawling riding of Labrador.

Here's how the results of yesterday's by-election played out:

Todd Russell, Liberal - 5,438 (51.5%)
Graham Letto, Tory - 3,415 (32.3%)
Frances Fry, NDP - 1,045 (9.9%)
Ern Condon, Ind - 598 (5.7%)
Jason Crummey, Green - 68 (0.6%)
Total Valid Votes - 10,564 (54.1% voter turnout)

So, the Tories gained as expected but didn't win (also as expected).

Watching this by-election gave me the urge to look at the results of past by-elections. It turns out that since the Liberals formed government in 1993, there have been 33 by-elections. The Liberals have won 21, the Bloc Quebecois 4, the NDP 2, the former Progressive Conservatives 4, and the former Canadian Alliance 2 (Stockwell Day and Stephen Harper).

alberta blogs

An eye-jump down to the sidebar to your right will reveal that I have signed my blog up with the coolest new batch of affliated bloggers out there: the new alberta blogs group.

It seems like an interesting mix of Alberta bloggers from left to right to right to wrong and everything in between and senile. Check it out. If you're from Alberta or just blogging in Alberta, you should join up. Only then will we rule the blogosphere forever!!! mwahahaha...

yes...

Anyway, thanks to Aaron for setting this group up


Cheers.

D : )

*insert random title here*

I saw the new Star Wars movie yesterday. The acting/dialogue sucked, but the action scenes were pretty cool. Yoda is still the best. He's a 2 foot tall little green guy who kicks ass!!! How sweet is that!??!?!

I picked up this little puppy from primeminister.ca. It's okay until about the 3rd question, when it starts to get boring. He didn't get mine: a muskox :P

labrador, ho!

Well, when was the last time this many federal politicians flocked to the great semi-province of Labrador? Well, considering that Tuesday's federal by-election for the Labrador seat could shift the balance of the House of Commons, all parties seem to be taking this seriously.

I heard this morning that Harper and Tory MP Gordon O'Connor were up there promising to build some super army base or something crazy like that while stumping for local Tory candidate, Graham Letto.

The Liberals are also sending in a posse to help out their candidate, Todd Russell. The posse will include newly minted Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach.

Other candidates include New Demcrat Frances Fry, Green Jason Crummey, and Independent Ern Condon (former leader of the anti-Newfoundland, Labrador Party).

The Liberals took 62% of the vote in the 2004 election, with the Tories trailing in second place with 15%. The riding has gone Liberal in every election since 1952 save one (1968). So, any shift would be huge.

The results should be telling.

The Tony Abbott fiasco continues...

From Wednesday's Hansard at the Alberta Legislature...

The Acting Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre.

Notice of Privilege

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to give notice of a possible question of privilege. Under Standing Order 15(5) on behalf of the Member for Edmonton-Rutherford I’d like to be able to advise the House of the possibility that I would bring forward the privilege motion on the next regular sitting day of this Assembly.

There needs to be additional information sought and additional research done, but at this point I can advise the Speaker that this is being considered because of an altercation that took place immediately outside of the Assembly between the Member for Drayton Valley-Calmar and the Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. Although it is outside of the Chamber, I believe that there are sufficient citations to address a matter that takes place within the precincts of the Assembly and under the purview and control of the Speaker, particularly where the action which occurred involves a physical assault or molestation.

So, with those words, I will hope that that acts as sufficient notice, and when I have been able to do sufficient research to be confident that I would not be abusing the time of the Assembly, as I say, I’ve given notice and that allows me to bring forward the point of privilege motion on the next regular sitting day of the Assembly. Thank you.

The Acting Speaker: Hon. members, the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre has given notice that she will bring forward a motion of privilege. As you know, the next sitting that we will have will not be a regular one. That will be the one at which the Queen will visit the Assembly. So probably this matter may not be dealt with until the fall when we reconvene. So it shall be dealt with at that point in time. Thank you.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you.

1 to 11 weekly round-down

Well, here’s my take on what has been one heck of a week in Canadian politics…

1) Belinda Stronach:

Like almost everyone, I was surprised and shocked to watch this high profile Tory MP and former leadership candidate cross the floor to the Liberals and accept a position in Cabinet. Pure opportunism. She’s an ambitious politician who knows what she wants, and obviously saw this as the best way to get there (the PMO I’m assuming). The sexist outrage and blasts coming from Tories were unacceptable and only boost the case of why I don’t vote Conservative. The voters in her riding of Newmarket-Aurora will hold Minister Stronach accountable for her actions when the next election comes around. Now, can we have some civility, gentlemen? Which leads to...

2) Welcome to the sausage party!

With the departure of Stronach from the Tories, this now leaves Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition with only 10 women and 88 men. Hmmm. This is quite a troublingly disproportionate number. Not to say the Liberals or ND's are much better...

3) Chuck Cadman:

The MP from Surrey North listened to his constituents. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for this former Reform/Alliance/Conservative to vote with the Liberals and NDP, but I respect him for not caving into the “protection offered” by Mr. Harper (he must be taking some lessons from Mr. Gagliano) and instead listening to his constituents. There should be more Independent MP’s in the House of Commons; it could cut down on the partisan hackery.

4) Gurmant Grewal, the new Ambassador to France

Opps, I jumped the gun on that one. I really didn't pay attention to this story, it sounded to "made up." Apparently there was a tape or something? Was anybody keeping tabs on where Rahim Jaffer's assistant was during this ordeal?

5) THE VOTE:

Yes, the vote that political hacks from Victoria to St. John’s tuning in to watch (yes, I watched it on the big screen on SUB stage). I’d never seen something like this before, so close, so dramatic, so intense, so fun to watch! 153-152! It’s like the Stanley Cup for political nerds!

6) Campbell gets it twice!

In BC, Gordon Campbell's Liberals were re-elected. No suprise. Carole James' NDP went from 3 seats to 33 seats. Wow. STV fails, democracy loses.

7) The Queen:

Yes, currently flying under the national news radar is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Her Majesty arrived in Saskatchewan on Tuesday and will tour around that province until tomorrow, when her and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip will spend the weekend relaxing in beautiful Jasper National Park. Following their weekend retreat, the Royal couple will visit Edmonton for a big 100 anniversary celebration party at Commonwealth Stadium (which I'm going to) and numerous tours around Canada’s greatest city. Next Tuesday, (still-) Prime Minister Paul Martin will be hosting a gala dinner in the honour of Alberta’s Royal visitors. I was lucky enough to be on the invitation list, so my lovely date and I are getting all spified up and going to have dinner with the Queen and 900 or so other lucky Edmontonians (I had to rent a tux :P). I will definitely let the blogosphere know how that goes.

8) Alberta Centennial Celebrations:

Well, what can I say, so far they suck. Other than the Queen coming for 3 days, I haven't heard of any other real celebration party. Saskatchewan looks like it's having more fun than us. We only celebrate 100 once, Ralph! The least you could do is spend some of that massive surplus to buy us some booze for a change. Such a money hog.

9) Candidate nomination mania!

Well according to this site, quite a few candidate nominations have occurred in preparation of a possible election (averted for now). From what I can tell, in my lovely riding of Edmonton Centre (the best riding in Alberta!), I know of three candidates: Deputy PM Anne McLellan (woo hoo!), Tory Laurie Hawn, and New Democrat Donna Martyn (who got thumped by Kevin Taft in Edmonton Riverview during the 2004 provincial election). I'm expecting a Green, at least an Independent, and probably a Marxist or "Progressive Canadian."

10) Oliver, the Liberal Heartland:

Today, I was pondering from my downtown perch when it dawned on me that I live in the Liberal heartland of Alberta. My federal riding has been Liberal since 1993, my provincial riding has been Liberal since 1993 (and NDP from 1986 to 1993). Both my MP and MLA are women (Anne McLellan and Laurie Blakeman). My polling district went solidly Liberal in both the last federal and provincial election. Of course, I'm sure that it has a lot to do with the large population of low-income renters, students, the large gay community, people who think for themselves, and no-good transients such as myself in the area.

11) The Federal Tories have updated their normally boring website into a more election style format. Did someone forget to tell them they lost today's vote?

And to answer your question. Yes, I am a political nerd.

Have a nice weekend.

D :)

n is for non non-confidence vote

woo hoo. I was right.

T-minus 10 minutes

well, 10 minutes until the non-confidence vote!

I'm heading down to the main level to watch the vote on SUB Stage.

My prediction, based on pure instinct, the government will win the vote. Cadman will side with the Liberal/ND/Parrish Coalition for Confidence.

I guess we'll find out in 10 minutes :P

D

T-minus 1 hour

Just over one hour until Judgement Day in Ottawa.

Belinda Stronach showed up for her first question period today as a Liberal MP and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. She was sitting in the second row beside Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Ken Dryden.

she's an independent...

"Come hell or high water, there's no frigging way I'm going to let one ovary bring the government down."

- The ever-eloquent Carolyn Parrish, Independent MP for Mississagua-Erindale

tony abbott, the reverend of rage

No wonder the rest of Canada think's we're a bunch of rednecks.

Members of Alberta legislature have spitting match over Stronach insult

Lorraine Turchansky
Canadian Press
May 18, 2005

EDMONTON (CP) -- What started out as a crude swipe at Tory-turned-Liberal Belinda Stronach morphed into a nasty confrontation between two members of the Alberta legislature Wednesday.

Tony Abbott, a rural Conservative backbencher who is also an evangelical Christian minister, found himself apologizing repeatedly for saying Stronach was "whoring" herself by defecting to the Liberals.

Abbott said he made the remark out of anger but decided to retract it after getting plenty of negative feedback from his constituents -- including his wife. read the rest here...

for shame

Like many Canadians, I was shocked and surprised to hear that Tory MP Belinda Stronach had crossed the floor and joined Paul Martin's Cabinet. But what shocked and suprised me the most was the wave of negativity, anger, and pure outrage that came from Conservative MP's, MLA's, and their supporters.

The comments, many, which came from Alberta Conservatives, were embarrassing and insulting not only to Ms. Stronach, but to all Canadians. Accusations that "she whored herself out for power," and that she is a "dipstick" are completely unacceptable and show a complete lack of class and integrity from the politicians who threw the insult.

Yes, Ms. Stronach is an ambitious and opportunistic politician, and the voters in her riding will hold her accountable for her actions. But, the sexist outrage that has been thrown at her by her former Conservative colleagues is unacceptable and disgraceful.

It is the perfect example of how little we expect of our elected officials.

Shame.

what goes around comes around...

I get the feeling this is how David Orchard may have felt...

my bc election predictions...

Based on pure instinct... here I go...

Seat Projections:

Liberal - 53 (46%)
NDP - 25 (38%)
Green - 1 (10%)
DRBC - 0 (3%)
Other - 0 (3%)

Predictions:

- Campbell will keep his seat in Vancouver Point Grey.
- James will win in Victoria Beacon Hill.
- The NDP will win nearly every seat on Vancouver Island (Malahat-Juan de Fuca will be a close NDP win against DRBC Leader Tom Morino) but be the minority in the Interior and the Lower Mainland.
- Green Leader Adrienne Carr will be elected in Powell River-Sunshine Coast by a very slim margin.
- The largest amount of popular vote will go to the Liberals.
- The STV Vote will be defeated.
- Expect a low voter turnout.

So... tonight, we will all see how acurately attuned I am to the BC political climate...

belinda the liberal

This is huge. http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/17/stronach-liberals050517.html

Belinda Stronach, MP for Newmarket - Aurora, has crossed the floor from the Tories and joined the Liberals. She is now the Minister of Human Resources and Democratic Renewal.

Prime Minister Paul Martin said:

"I am very pleased to announce that Belinda Stronach will cross the floor and has agreed to join the cabinet as Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

In addition, Ms. Stronach will assume responsibilities for democratic renewal and will help guide the implementation of the recommendations that flow from the Gomery Commission’s final report."

wow.

more commentary later.

poll results are in

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

LIVE FROM DAVEBERTA, HERE ARE THE OFFICIAL "UNRESPONSIBLE POLLING" ELECTIONS POLLING RESULTS...

THE QUESTION: If an election were to be held tomorrow, which party would you vote for?

Liberal - 35% (35 votes)
New Democratic - 26% (26 votes)
Conservative - 18% (18 votes)
Green - 15% (15 votes)
Bloc Quebecois - 4% (4 votes)
Other - 2% (2 votes)
Who ever Ralph Klein is running for - 1% (1 vote)

What do you think?

our glorious leader

Alberta. Home of the beautiful baldass prairie, Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise, the mad cow, the giant perogy, the Calgary Stampede, the Senator-in-Waiting, and of course, the Lodgepoll Pine. This free spirited province flavours its politics as western populism, where the roots of the Manning dynasty and the Reform Party flourished in a longstanding democratic tradition of down to earth politics and social conservatism. And last but not least: Alberta, the personal playground of our glorious, blessed, and beloved Leader, Ralph Klein....

Klein no doubt enjoying 'personal time' away from dome: Regards question period a time for opposition to ask him 'stupid questions'
The Edmonton Journal
Sun 15 May 2005
Page: A6 Section: News
Column: Capital Notebook

When Premier Ralph Klein revealed Friday he was taking "personal time" instead of showing up this week for the closing of legislature, it marked the latest chapter in his long-standing lack of interest in house business and question period, its public highlight.

In fall 2003, he skipped out of Edmonton for trips to Ontario and England and missed about half of a skimpy three-week autumn session.

The opposition was miffed he was ditching his democratic duties -- and their chance to grill him during QP -- but Klein responded with contempt.

"My sole purpose to exist is not to satisfy the Liberals," the premier said.

"Their whole performance depends on whether they can grill me and try to embarrass me and to ask me stupid questions to which I'm expected to give intelligent answers."

For QP-watching junkies, the last one this spring will either be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how swiftly MLAs can go through the remaining legislation debates.

which province are you?

You're British Columbia. You're hip and happenin'
but also a nice person who isn't a snob. Career
is important to you but it isn't your whole
life. People assume that your life is perfect
and that you have it all, like you were born
with a silver spoon in your mouth. But it's not
true; you do have your own set of troubles just
like everybody else.


What Canadian Province Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

an exciting business oppurtunity!

I'm very excited to let the blogosphere know about an exciting business oppurtunity which I may soon be part of! I have attached the email corresponse below, please feel free to read and be jealous of my soon to be overflowing bank accout! I will post any response which I receive!

Cheers.

D :)


To: daveberta@linuxmail.org
From: moeyademaa@adinet.com.uy
Subject: Business Proposal(Confidential)
Date: Date: Sun, 8 May 2005 18:34:47

From: Moses Eyadema
Av. Joaquin Vilumbrales,
3 Alcorcón - 28924 (Madrid) Spain.
Mobile Phone:+34686717232.
SAT TEL; +873 763 430 525.
SAT FAX: +873 763 430 526.

Dear Sir,

I am Moses Eyadema the son of President Gnassingbe Eyadema,the
president of Togo, Africa's longest-ruling leader, who died on -
Saturday February 05, 2005 3:29pm after suffering a heart attack.

I know this letter might come to you as a surprise but I honestly do
not intend to surprise you. I write this letter in respect of my
intention to invest the sum of US$56M (Fifty Six Million United
States Dollars) with you.

I escaped to Madrid, Spain because of the fear that I might be arrested
by my stepbrother Faure Gnassingbe, who is now the country's new
president.Actually his mother and my mother are not in the best of relationship because of
who among them will be the first lady Tussle and this ultimately affected
us their children. My father disclosed the existence of these funds to my
mother before his death.

My mother advised me to leave For Madrid, Spain where these funds were
deposited cash in a trunk box for safe keeping in a Storage Vault in Madrid Spain.

On getting to Spain where I have been living now then as a political
refugee I am seeking for a reliable foreigner who can come down to
Madrid,Spain for a meeting and to clear the funds in his name as the
sole beneficiary of the Consignment as I am afraid of being defrauded.

Honestly I contacted you because I don't want to invest this money in
Madrid Spain due to my status here as a political Refugee. And moreover
I wouldn't want to take risk because this money is all that my Mother and
I are depending on. My stepbrother Faure, who is now the present leader
of my country has seized all my father's assets and he left us empty handed
without knowing about these funds deposited here in Madrid. That is why
I decided that investing this money abroad should be the best investment
for me. I will be honored if I can be given the privilege of investing this money with you.

I expect you to be trustworthy and kind enough to respond to this
distress call to save My Mother and I from a hopeless future. And if
you agree, I hereby agree to compensate your sincere and candid effort in
this regard with Twenty percent of the total amount.Whatever your decision
is please reach me immediately, and keep this letter tight secret for the
interest of my Family. I will get your immediate response through my fax
number stated above.

Best regards,

Moses Eyadema


To: moeyademaa@adinet.com.uy
From: daveberta@linuxmail.org
Subject: Re: Business Proposal(Confidential)
Date: Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 18:31:23


Dear Mr. Eyadema,

I thank you very much for the email which you had sent me last week. I feel truly privileged that you chose to send this very important correspondence to myself, a lowly university student, when you could have sent it to possibly millions of other email addresses. I am always looking for exciting opportunities, and this seems like an exciting one indeed.

Being a prudent minded individual myself, I have taken the liberty of “googling” your address in Madrid. I was very surprised to find that this is also the address of Mr. Antonio Savimbi, (the exiled son of the late Jonas Savimbi founder of Unita - the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), and Mr. Moses Kabila (the son of the late Democratic Republic of Congo President Laurent Desire Kabila "of the blessed memory").

I am glad to see that a young group of exiles such as yourselves have found comfort and companionship by sharing a flat in sunny Madrid.

Regarding our potential business deal, though I am not sympathetic towards the family of any tyrannical dictator, I am a liberal at heart and do very much feel the need to help my fellow man (or woman). This in mind, due to the risk involved in this venture, I’m afraid that a 20% gratuity will not be sufficed. A 40% gratuity would be more appropriate in my mind.

Please advise me of your decision at the earliest convenience.

Best regards while in exile,

daveberta

yeah trudeau!

hhmmmm. The article below sounds vaguely similar to what my friend, Howard, and I had written in our op-ed peice in the Hill Times a couple of weeks ago...

so, I agree. Good work for calling it how it is, Justin.


Quebec separation close, Trudeau warns, Criticizes Liberals

Joe Paraskevas
CanWest News Service

May 12, 2005

CREDIT: Marie-France Coallier, CanWest News Service

OTTAWA - Federal political life has become so concerned with mundane affairs
that it has blinded both voters and politicians to issues of real
importance, such as the growing appetite for separatism in Quebec, the
eldest son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau said yesterday.

"I think we are far closer to the separation of Quebec than we have been in
a very, very long time, and I don't think anyone in Ottawa particularly, but
in the rest of Canada [as well], are either enough aware of it or ready to
properly deal with it," Justin Trudeau said at a Parliament Hill reception.

Mr. Trudeau, 33, did not say the rise of Quebec nationalism is due to the
alleged mismanagement in the former government's sponsorship program.
Instead, he suggested Canadians and their politicians have simply forgotten
what matters in political life. "We live in a very fast-paced, easy world,
where we're looking for immediate gratification, immediate satisfaction," he
said. "And the kind of politicians we have now are all about satisfying
those immediate responses. And that, while it satisfies you, allows for sort
of long-term hunger."

He did, however, criticize the Liberal government over the sponsorship
program, which was set up to promote the federal government in Quebec after
the 1995 sovereignty referendum.

Mr. Trudeau said the Liberals failed to renew their party since taking over
almost 12 years ago. By acting complacently through the 1990s, a time when
their opposition was also relatively weak and could not check government
authority, he said the Liberals gave rise to conditions that allowed the
sponsorship scandal to happen.

"[The sponsorship scandal] is a symptom of having had no real opposition for
a long time to be able to counterbalance what's going on in Ottawa and to
keep an eye on it," Mr. Trudeau said.

"People in power for too long tend to get a little bit sloppy. There's a
lack of rigour perhaps and a little looseness that happens around the edges
-- not at the centre, but around the edges -- that allows for things like
this to happen. It's unfortunate. It links back to the fact that
Confederation or Canadian democracy isn't set up to represent regional
interests."

He said the Liberal party should be included among the many aspects of the
federal political scene in need of renewal.

"I think there was an opportunity for renewal when [Jean] Chretien stepped
down [in 2003], and that was attempted but wasn't really taken on."

Asked about his own political future, Mr. Trudeau, a former teacher who has
pursued an engineering degree in recent years, demurred, saying he is happy
as chairman of the board of directors of Katimavik, the federally funded
organization that sends youth across Canada to do year-long volunteer work.

He declined to comment on the hostile climate that has enveloped Parliament,
as the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois try to bring down the Liberals.

He maintained that if Canadians are unhappy with the partisanship in the
Commons, they should consider themselves responsible. "It's vicious because
we've allowed it to become so; we as voters, we as citizens," he said,
adding he is not in favour of a spring election.

on a non-political note

Someone found my blog by googling: laval "nasty show"


wow?

how appropriate

Today's Word of the Day


resile \rih-ZYLE\ verb

: recoil, retract; especially : to return to a prior position

Example sentence:
The politician said he was sorry that his comments had caused offense, but he stopped short of resiling from his position.


Did you know?

"Resile" is a resilient word; it's been around in English since at least 1529. It's also a cousin of "resilient" — both words derive from the Latin verb "resilire," which means to "jump back" or "recoil." ("Resilire" in turn comes from "salire," meaning "to jump.") "Resilient" focuses on the ability of something to "bounce back" from damage, whereas "resile" generally applies to someone or something that withdraws from an agreement or "jumps back" from a stated position. "Resile" is a word that shows up only occasionally in U.S. sources; it is more common in British and especially Australian English.

hip to be right-wing?

Not in my books.

I thought this was good for a laugh or two. It looks the like Conservative Party solution to their youth problem: Don't give them any real power within the party, instead, give them a website.

Watch out! Here come the fiscally conservative radical youth of the CPC! :P

More commentary on this soon.

D : )

where art thou holtopia?

hmmmmm. You've been awful quiet lately. Perhaps a little two quiet...

Me thinks treachery is afoot.

Labour Majority

BBC has declared a Labour Majority victory. This is Tony Blair's 3rd consecutive majority.

As of 9:30pm Edmonton Time:

Labour: 331 (-36 difference dissolution)
Conservative: 159 (+23)
Liberal Democrat: 52 (+10)
Scotish National Party: 6 (+2)
Plaid Cymru : 3 (-1)
Repect: 1 (+1)
Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern: 1
Independent: 1 (+1)

Check out the full scoreboard

Best Quote of the Night

George Galloway (Respect Party Leader and newly elected MP for Benthal Green & Bow) to Tony Blair: "I've come back to haunt you."

check the stats

UK ELECTION FULL SCOREBOARD

BBC is so entertainingly British. I've never heard any Canadian politician talk about how "delightful" it was to campaign in my constituency.

How would you like to the Member of Parliament for Southhampton Itch? What a name.

'Edmonton' has gone Labour. I'll update when I find out the results.

8:28pm Edmonton time

Labour - 288
Conservative - 93
Liberal Democrat - 36
Other -11

Labour losses. Conservative gains (they won their 1st seat in Wales since 1997). Liberal Democrat gains and losses.

I'm quite enjoying Peter Snow's election swingometer

Check out the live results page

I'm sitting here watching the UK Election live on BBC (over the internet).

Tony Blair's Labour Party is looking for their 3 majority victory against a Conservative Party led by Michael Howard, and the Liberal Democrats led by Charles Kennedy.

So far, the results being reported (as of 5:55pm Edmonton time) are:

Labour - 32
Liberal Democrat - 2
Conservative - 1 (gained from Labour)

324 seats needed to form a majority government...

off

Well, for those of you who know what I've been up to lately, my little adventure has been called off.

THIS is where I was supposed to be going next week following my lovely London adventure. Getting blown up is not on my "to-do" list for this summer.

So, that means no London, Istanbul, Diyabakur, Irbil, or Athens for me this summer.

I was so looking forward to getting a good tan in the middle east. Quite seriously.

Vancouver Island sounds nice and safe to me right now.

lies! all lies!

Two smear campaigns from the opposite sides of the lovely BC Election

From the BC Liberals:

"NDP - THE REAL STORY"

From the BC NDP:

"The Amazing All-Purpose Fool-Proof Never-Fail LIBERAL TRUTH TRANSLATOR"

On another BC note - the picture of ND Leader Carole James on the pre-front page of the ND website has to be the scariest looking picture of her that I have ever seen. It's like she has a dark side... Darth Carole?

Sidenote: check out this website for a good laugh.

my pimped up sidebar

Check it out: Progressive Bloggers. Way cooler than the Blogging Tories.