Thursday, June 29, 2006

Dalton's Legacy to Canada

David Warren had a chilling column in Wednesday's Ottawa Citizen - "McGuinty's Caledonia gambit sets catastrophic precedent".

A few selected highlights:

"...the provincial government has been operating on the loopy legal theory that, by expropriating from its present owners the land Six Nations are claiming, and taking it "out of contention," the many violations of the Criminal Code that have already occurred become null and void. This is a legal theory unworthy of adults.

Dalton McGuinty would be an embarrassment in any political jurisdiction, but especially so in Ontario, where the rule of law had previously been enforced for more than two centuries. I do not think it will even be effective to give him and his party the pasting they deserve in next year's provincial election. It is too late for that, for in the face of escalating Indian land claims and radicalization right across the country, he has set a catastrophic precedent...."


While you digest that tidbit, consider the following:

Rumours of Canada Day trouble brewing - Steve Janke
MSM reports of the same - 570 News
OPP News Release warning of "large police presence" (for what that's worth)
And finally, the pièce de résistance - An Anti-Canada Day Rally in Vancouver (h/t SDA)

So anyone smugly sitting back and gloating over our misery in Ontario - look out! It's contagious.

Oh, and Happy Canada Day!

* * * *

FRIDAY UPDATE: Hamilton Spectator reports beefed-up police presence. Again I ask, is this a comforting thought? Who will be protecting the non-natives?

Meanwhile, the UN has entered into the fray. I wonder how the natives plan to deal with all Ontario's problems when they take over? Can't be any worse than what's happening now. Maybe smoking the peace-pipe will be legalized in casinos.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

LOTR to Close?!!

Just heard on the local a.m. station, Newstalk 570 that a news conference is set for 11:30 this morning to announce the closing of the Toronto production, Lord of the Rings. I believe they said due to "poor reviews".

It should be interesting to see if the taxpayers of Ontario will get a rebate for our forced investment.

Yet, the "Lord of the Farce" remains firmly entrenched in Queen's Park. I would love to give that comedy a review.


Update: Toronto Sun - LOTR to Close
Also - CTV, CBC, Globe


THURSDAY UPDATE!!! - Jeff Allen will be discussing LOTR from 10:30 to 11:00 this morning! You can listen online at 570news.com and call in. Hey, maybe I will too!

Topic: The Lord of the Rings to close. The $28-million Lord of the Rings stage production, will end. The production is believed to be the most expensive stage show ever mounted. The McGunity government loaned 3 million dollars towards the play.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is angered that taxpayers have lost their investment.

Guest: John Williamson, Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Question: Should the government invest tax dollars in Broadway shows?


This should be good.

* * * * *

Well, in case you missed it, I taped the interview with John Williamson. He said among other things that this is "...more proof that the bureaucrats aren't good at... investing our dollars". He said that although the loan was intended as part of a "grand strategy" to increase tourism in Toronto, Williamson felt that it could better have been accomplished by addressing the "fundamentals". These include addressing crime, and lowering or eliminating hotel taxes, etc.

Sounds too much of a common sense solution for our Premier.

The other point John Williamson made was that these types of investments don't serve taxpayers at all, and are instead focused on pandering to the City of Toronto at the expense of the rest of Ontario, and in particular to Toronto City Hall politicians with the goal of re-election.

And that may very well be where this farce all got started.


(See also: Failed to Connect in the Globe, H/T Nealenews)


* * * *

FRIDAY UPDATE: The Toronto Sun has kidnapped Frodo!!!

And don't miss this! - Christina Blizzard "Subsidizing Art is a Bad Hobbit".


Tuesday, June 27, 2006

You gotta know when to fold 'em

Just back from a Town Hall meeting with my M.P. Karen Redman. To be fair, she did say a few things that gave me a bit of hope - such as her agreement with the effort in Afghanistan, and she even said she could support the legislation to raise the age of consent now that it contained the close-in-age exemption.

But her response to my question about whether or not she would support fellow Liberal M.P. Paul Steckle's attempts to limit abortion to 20 weeks, was an unequivocal "no". She maintained that it would lead to an all-out ban on abortion. I've heard that argument just one too many times today!

Think I'm going to pack it in on the social issues. It just takes too much out of me. Too much emotion. Too much caring.

From now on, I'm sticking to really fun stuff like statistics and polls and how will we ever resolve the fiscal imbalance.

And why do I care anyway? As long as it doesn't hurt me right? That's all that matters. I think I can buy into this Left-Wing philosophy if I try really hard, and just forget about my principles.

Anyway, it's a whole lot easier this way. Someone else will have to carry the torch.

Monday, June 26, 2006

School's Out for the Summer!

Politics Watch is giving out the Parliament Hill report cards. It seems that the Conservatives did very well indeed, with an A-, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among those making the honour role this year! Congrats all around.

Check out the site to see who didn't make the grade, and who has to stay for summer school!

Hint: One of the summer school crew has to make up to the other poor boys and girls for his dubious schoolyard antics.

WARNING - May Contain Scenes of Graphic Prayer

There is a lot of controversy going on regarding the P.G. rating of the upcoming film, "Facing the Giants", due to "some thematic elements" - (H/T to Journal of a Prospective Computer Engineering Technologist).

So now religious themes are apparently as worrisome as profanity, violence and brief nudity. The Motion Picture Association of America is now trying to save face:

"...Joan Graves, chairman of the MPAA ratings board, contacted the Catholic League, admitting that she was the MPAA official who originally spoke to Fuhr. According to Graves, she told Fuhr that the PG rating was given to the movie, not for being overtly religious, but because of mature issues, e.g., depression, matters relating to pregnancy and sports-related violence..."



Actually, I found Disney's The Lion King quite violent, and I'm pretty sure there was a pregnancy in that movie.

Anyway, I'm not going to rant and rave about how we're all going to h-e-l-l in a handbasket. Nope, I think this is a wonderful turn of events. What kind of self-respecting kid would want to go to a G-rated movie anyway? This is providential because the movie is going to reach a far wider audience than it originally would have. God works in mysterious ways indeed.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

If a fetus could talk...

If a fetus cries in the womb, and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?

In this case, the answer is yes. Please take the time to read this story about an abortion survivor, and then think very carefully before you criticize Liberal M.P. Paul Steckle's recent heroic efforts to reintroduce this topic for discussion:

In introducing Bill C-338, 'An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (procuring a miscarriage after 20 weeks of gestation),' Steckle called on the House to debate the issue noting that Canada was one of the only countries in the world with absolutely no protection for the unborn in law whatsoever. The bill would restrict abortion after twenty weeks gestation; currently in Canada abortions are performed at tax-payer expense up to birth.



If you still want to play partisan political games after reading the article, just remember that Gianna Jessen is a woman who struggled as an aborted infant to choose life - her own.


* * * * *

Update: Please check out the following links:

Focus on the Family - "Abortion Bill Tabled in Parliament"

Big Blue Wave - Lots of info and resources.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Disturbing Items from Neale

These two headlines deserve your attention and concern:

The first is what I consider a blatantly racist editorial in my beloved National Post. I can't believe this!


At least the Chinese who paid the bigoted tax in order to come to Canada have something to show for it. They were able to buy a better life. You wouldn't think that is something anyone would require compensation for.



The second is about an abdication of duty by the OPP in Caledonia:


OPP officers will no longer respond to calls from non-native home and property owners who live on the 6th Line, a county road running along the southwest border of a housing development occupied by native protestors — a move that has some residents feeling helpless and sick with worry.



Wow! But the Nanny State always protects, right? Wrong! As soon as things get tough, you're on your own, Charlie!



* * * *

Saturday Update: Great column in the Toronto Sun by Salim Mansur, "Divided we fall".
It highlights the perils of multiculturalism as it has evolved in Canada:

"The experiment in multiculturalism has made Canada a divided house vulnerable to the quarrels of the global village within its borders.."


Very pithy statement. Is that what we have become - A country of self-serving self-interest groups all looking for our little share of the taxpayers' pie? Is that the Canada we want?


And the natives aren't the only ones holding Ontario hostage!

Trolls Anonymous

In spite of my sore wrists, this is too good an opportunity to miss: SDA and Celestial Junk have both just posted pieces on how to deal with trolls. I love Kate's title, "How to Talk to a Troll, if you must". Hilarious!! And Debris Trail has expertly pointed out the difference between respectful debate and deliberate trolling.

Since blocking three trolls from my site, I've received a series of outraged complaints (only from them though). At the risk of "feeding the bears" here is an edited selection without names so they can't get the payoff from their behaviour:

I wouldn't call what we're doing trolling. People post stuff that doesn't make sense, I, and others comment on it. If we're wrong, say so! So far, on Joanne's blog it's pretty clear that any serious criticism is dismissed with namecalling, etc..

Go ahead and moderate. You can even moderate this comment. But in doing so, you're validating what we're saying: that your blog is not a place for honest discussion. The truth shall set you free indeed.


You can even moderate this comment. I can? Gee, thanks! That's very generous of you.



Funny how you can call people trolls now, yet those you refer to are unable to respond directly to your accusations.

I guess you just got tired of having your stupidity proven to the world on your own blog.

Yes, that would be it for sure. Uh-huh...




I've never seen such a phenomenal lack of integrity. The fact that you say a Bible verse gives life to your blog is an insult to the Bible.


Basically, you're coming off as one of the stupidest people I've ever met, and I highly doubt that's true or that you want it to come off that way. But if you want to continue along that way, by all means. You're only hurting yourself and whatever eyes are unfortunate enough to stumble across your blog.


And the strange thing is how they keep coming back for more punishment...


These guys are clearly in denial. They need to look into a 10 Step program. There are some aids on the net from both a spiritual and secular perspective. There are even special support groups for trolls.

Personally, I think rather than ignore these poor souls we need to extend some sympathy and assistance. Therefore, I am starting a Twelve-Step Recovery Program for Trolls on Joanne's Journey. All guests can contribute. I may even allow some of the trolls' comments if it appears that they are truly trying to help themselves escape from this addiction. One major rule though: Please do not mention the trolls by name. It wouldn't be fair and moreover, it wouldn't help them with their recovery. Anyone else that feels they may be heading down this path to self-destruction is also welcome to share their stories. You can certainly remain anonymous. This is all about a place to come and feel safe.



The Twelve Steps of Trollers Anonymous


#1. We admitted that we were unable to control ourselves from attacking Joanne and her guests; that it had become an obsession - That we would wake up every morning wondering how to decimate each one of her ridiculous posts; that we were powerless to stop ourselves and it was taking over our lives.




O.K. Folks. Run with it. I'm going for the ice-pack.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

New Slogan for Kinsella

Well it looks like I wasn't the only one wondering if the "I am not afraid" slogan was the best approach. Check out Warren Kinsella's June 19 entry on his blog.

Meanwhile, I read the following from a counterterrorist expert in the Post:

“As other parts of the world become more target-hardened, the terrorists are going to start looking at areas that are going to have an impact, where its going to be easier for them to attack,” he said. “You have a very fantastic, open society and very low security levels.”


Forget Dr. Phil. We need Jack Bauer.


* * * *

Speaking of Warren Kinsella, read this before you renew your Toronto Star subscription!!


Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Just can't stay away

Short post here in deference to my carpal tunnel. (My son was looking into voice-activation programs for me, but then I'd just go hoarse).

The effects of the Caledonia fiasco extend far beyond the borders of that Southern Ontario town. We have all been shocked by the lack of direction from the McGuinty government - indeed by the role of enabler that has been taken to accommodate this dysfunctional breach of democracy. We will be paying for this impotent leadership for a long time.

We have lost faith in our police. The damage will be difficult to repair. We have seen the OPP stand by, watching the flagrant abuse of citizens' rights taking place directly in front of them - and do nothing. This fragile trust has been shattered.

Ontario now has a two-tiered justice system where one group appears to be above the law, and the rest of the province pays the price financially and emotionally.

This once proud province has been reduced to a helpless hostage at the mercy of whatever it takes to keep the peace.

However, just as in a turbulent household where one child is favoured over another, the anger simmers and churns - until the moment it explodes.


* * * * *

UPDATE: It gets worse!!! Check this out. (H/T to Dust my Broom)

Monday, June 19, 2006

Another Mini Break

Light blogging for the next little while - Carpal tunnel acting up. (Ouch!)


* * * *

BTW, please check out SDA for links to what will likely be coming soon to a school near you! The Nanny State always knows best. Parents, just sit home and enjoy your beer and popcorn.


* * * *

Awesome comment by Margaret Somerville when receiving her honorary doctorate from Ryerson:


"When, for reasons of ethics, something we stand for hurts others, even though ethics requires that we stand for that, we should still regret the hurt it causes."


Sometimes the truth hurts.


* * * * *

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Excellent piece by Fred at Gay and Right regarding Somerville's treatment at Ryerson.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

A Request for Informed Study and Debate

No, I'm not referring to the current Liberal leadership race, although they could use a few pointers.

I am actually referencing the Letter of the Day ("Let's have a responsible vote on same-sex marriage") in today's National Post, which is unfortunately behind a subscribers' firewall. Douglas Farrow, associate professor of Christian thought, McGill University, Montreal wrote a rebuttal to the previous day's editorial, "Vote your Conscience".

Friday's editorial was a poorly-written piece in my opinion. It was full of logical flaws and outrageous partisanship, but finally ended on a note urging each M.P. to vote his or her conscience during the free vote in the fall:


It is clear that Canadians remain divided over the issue, a divide that is founded on the basis of individual morality and religious beliefs, but also on the basis of support for equality rights, minority protections and adherence to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Consequently, Canadians would be well served if MPs of all parties were to ignore the agitation of special interest groups and their party leadership, and vote their conscience.

Such a vote should be further informed by the consequences -- or, more accurately, the lack of consequences -- of allowing homosexuals the same rights to marriage as heterosexuals. The issue is an emotional one and has attained an outsized political footprint as a result. But in truth, gay marriages have had a very small effect on life in this country: The fact is that relatively few gay couples have availed themselves of the right. Despite predictions to the contrary, the fabric of Canadian society has not been rent.



Professor Farrow counters:

In point of fact, there is no such thing as purely private morality. Morality, whatever its guiding lights, is by nature public. But in any case -- as every serious participant in this debate knows -- we are faced with here a conflict of very different, and equally public, moral claims. Chai Feldblum, a legal scholar and proponent of same-sex marriage at Georgetown University, was quoted in The New York Times last week to the effect that it is only honest to acknowledge that "we are in a zero-sum game in terms of moral values."


In response to the 'sky hasn't fallen yet' argument:


But who is really so foolish as to suppose that the consequences of a major change in public moral values, or in the social institutions that embody them -- especially marriage -- will appear in the first year or even in the first decade?



And legal consequences like question of parental names on birth certificates:

Many people do not seem even to be aware that C-38, in its consequential amendments, removed the very concept of "natural parent" from Canadian law and, at a stroke, made parenthood a gift of the state -- a legal construct -- rather than a natural right.


Finally, he agrees with the Post that each M.P. should vote his or her conscience but only after diligent study and reasoned debate, as that which occurred in France where a Parliamentary Report on the Family and the Rights of Children concluded that same-sex marriage was not in the best interests of the child:



I'm not sure what will happen in France, but I know what I would like to see happen in Canada. Let our MPs vote their conscience, by all means. But consciences require both formation and information. So ... here's my suggestion: Before holding another vote on same-sex marriage, let the present Parliament act in a more responsible manner than the previous one and follow the French example. Let our MPs sit down and study the issues properly instead of behaving like a university student union. Let them digest the French report, and perhaps even write one of their own. Then let's have the vote.

Friday, June 16, 2006

It's the Money, Stupid!

I have long suspected that much of the endorsement for same-sex marriage comes from the high probability that many gay and lesbian couples have more discretionary spending due to the fact that they are usually less likely to have children to support.

My theory seems to be supported by this CTV article: "Tourism agency targets U.S. gays and lesbians". In fact I watched this report on Mike Duffy tonight, and was interested to hear that gay rights' activist groups have been pitching the value of recognizing "diversity" to banks and other large corporate groups.

According to according to a 2005 report by the Canadian Tourism Commission, "gay tourists spend $5,000 per week, compared to $1,500 for straight tourists."


"GLBT travellers are high-yield, with above-average disposable incomes and a high propensity to travel."

You can see some of the large corporations that value the gay and lesbian consumer here:

In fact Canada is on the cutting edge of this emerging market. (H/T to Daimnation!)

I guess my question is, are we still talking about "rights" here or a very lucrative industry?

McGuinty Buying his Way out with OUR MONEY?

Please tell me this isn't true! Is this what I think it is? McGuinty is paying off the developer to save his political neck?

Ontario buys out Caledonia Land Developer - Star
(H/T Nealenews)

Say it ain't so!!!


* * * *

UPDATE: According to the Ottawa Citizen, the natives are upset over this latest development:

"They haven't begun to resolve anything with us, but as a far as corporate Canada - they've done everything to appease them,''


The plot sickens.



ANOTHER BLOGGING TORY LINK: Conservative Elitist says the repercussions have already started.


* * * *

SATURDAY UPDATE: McGuinty caves again in Caledonia. (Toronto Sun)

Great line here:

Someone should tell the premier that there's not much point in drawing a line in the sand if, every time someone crosses it, you just end up drawing a new line.


AND A DISTURBING COMMENT IN TODAY'S NATIONAL POST!!!

But David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, said that the two parties have agreed on a price, although he would not disclose the amount...

Mr. Ramsay defended the cost of the purchase as a worthwhile way to end the dispute. "We are spending taxpayers' dollars all the time to settle land claims," he said. "The people of Canada have an outstanding liability in all these land claims and over time, as we settle them, there are huge cash settlements with First Nations.... I guess I would have to say, you've seen nothing yet."

Guess whose going to have their hands in your pocket for the rest of time? If people outside of Ontario don't think this has anything to do with them, you are living in a dream world.

* * * *

TUESDAY UPDATE: You need a backhoe and concrete for a dig??? And I trust that they got all the necessary permits. Yeah, right.



Rachel's Remedy for Politically-Correct Paralysis

Rachel Marsden's latest column is available from a link on her website: "The Perils of Political Correctness".

O.K. Even I am having a tough time with this one! Her tongue-in-cheek solution to our problems in dealing effectively with crime and terror in this country is rather humourous, but definitely not politically correct.

She muses that perhaps we could:

"...remove the white guilt factor altogether and just get the Islamofascists to duke it out with the Indians? The Islamofascists want to kill non-Muslim infidels, and the Indians want everyone off their land."
Man! I couldn't even get away with that on this blog, and she can say that in MSM?

Thursday, June 15, 2006

An Unexpected Treat

He entered the hall of seated parents and guests, and marched up to the front stage along with the rest of the processional party consisting of Conestoga College President John Tibbits, college marshals and other related academia.

As he stood on the stage beaming at the grads entering the room, he looked like a Greek god dressed in his ceremonial gown of gold, which couldn't conceal his incredible build. His blonde hair glistened in the bright lights; his gold chain glinted from the V on his bronze, muscular chest. I thought to myself, if this is what college teachers look like, I'm going back to school!

It also occurred to me that he bore an uncanny resemblance to Mike Holmes, of HGTV's "Holmes on Homes" fame. Turns out I was right! (Great pics at those links, BTW).

Apparently Holmes had been a guest of Dr. Tibbets earlier in the day, when he toured a new satellite Conestoga project. The whole thing was duly recorded by media, including Mike's own videographer.

Somehow the famous guardian angel of the reno-world ended up being the guest speaker at my son's Conestoga College graduation ceremony later in the day. His speech was a welcome departure from the usual boring diatribe. I was at a similar event a few years ago at University of Waterloo, where I zoned out through most of the bombastic utterances that droned on for hours. (Woke up to watch my daughter receive her degree though!)

Mike was his usual refreshingly down-to-earth self. The first thing he did was complain about the heat; especially dressed in his heavy golden garment. He cracked a few jokes about always having wondered what people wore under such things. Now he knows. He said he had his overalls on, and he was dying of heat.

"First thing I'm going to do here, is punch out a hole in the wall over here, and over there," he motioned to each side of the room. "Then I'm going to hire a few electricians, and get some heavy-duty fans installed, and get the air moving in here...". He sounded exactly like he does at the beginning of each of his programs, laying out his plans to fix a problem and thereby rescue some poor sucker from a disastrous renovation job.

He asked how many people had seen his show, and I along with a good two-thirds of the audience put up our hands. He then made some crack about the others missing out on quality programming. He said his primary focus is helping victims of renovation horror stories to finally get some resolution and peace.

"That guy..." Holmes motioned to his constantly moving videographer, "just follows me around, filming everything I do". Indeed, at one point the camera man emerged from the second-story drapes above Mike's head and proceeded to film the event from what must have been an interesting above-and-behind angle.


Then Holmes went on to explain how the construction industry is crying out for quality tradespeople, who care about doing a job right the first time. He is encouraging young people to give serious consideration to the trades as a profession. He maintains that if you set out to do an excellent job in your chosen field, the money will follow. Pick something you love, and do it well. You will be successful.


John Tibbets reiterated that message later, and made the point that colleges are often overlooked for government funding, which tends to go to universities instead. But if the need for quality people in trades is going to be addressed, colleges are going to have to start getting a bigger portion of the funding pie.

It was an awesome afternoon. I was very proud of my son, who finally received that important piece of paper that will be his calling card for a promising future. Congrats! He also had the opportunity to shake Mike's hand, but the signficance of the event was lost on him, since he had never seen the show. I guess I have been negligent as a mother in some areas. (Sigh).

As Mike Holmes left the hall with the rest of the recessional party, I caught a glimpse of his trademark brown overalls and construction shoes where the gown ended just below the knees.

Somehow that moment showcased the message of the whole event - Cut out the pretention and get down to the business of doing a good job the first time.

Or as Mike would say, "Make it Right".

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The Fairytale World According to Garth

Nealenews has seen fit to headline Garth Turner's recent blog comments :

"Terror suspects less dangerous than street racers".


All this arose from Garth's post, "In the Mosque", where he recounted his somewhat uncomfortable visit with members of the Muslim community in his riding.

In the comments section of his blog, Garth makes the following statement:


I believe the authorities were 100% correct in what they did, but there’s also a very good chance many of these young ‘terrorists’ were less dangerous than the punk street racers who have actually already taken lives.

(Emphasis mine)


Garth was obviously trying to say that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but the undertone is to minimize the seriousness of the allegations. Street racing and terrorism are not on the same level of concern at all. By Garth's logic, we should wait until Canadians are actually killed, and suspects are tried, sentenced and convicted before we get on our collective high horse, if I understand him correctly.

Sorry Garth. You lost me on that one. I have defended you before in this blog, but this time you are seriously out to lunch, on this issue and others.


BTW, great post at Dissonance And Disrespect on this topic.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

And on a lighter note

Next time Heather Mills comes to Canada to save the seals, she may get attention from some very unrelated special-interest groups.

According to the Toronto Sun, it seems that estranged wife of Sir Paul McCartney has had a shady past that includes posing nude for sex guides, and even allegations of having been a highly paid prostitute engaging in lesbian and group sex.

I guess marrying Sir Paul without a "pre-nup" was a pretty big coup for Heather, considering her past. Good little business venture.

Well at least she does have some principles; being an animal lover and all...




* * * *

Wow! Just received a VERY interesting link from a loyal reader. Check it out. Maybe Sir Paul was after the fountain of youth? Gotta question his judgement, no matter what.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Bitter Irony - Soldier comes home to Caledonia for some R&R

Nealenews is running a story about Sgt. Daryl Shuch coming home to Caledonia for a two-week leave from Afghanistan. Some guys can't catch a break!

Meanwhile, Dalton McGuinty is losing patience with the natives. He is calling off talks until they take down the barricades and help with the investigations:

Asked what he’ll do if the barricade doesn’t come down soon, McGuinty simply answered: “We’ll see.”

Now THAT sounds like a man with a plan! Good grief. He reminds me more of a frustrated mother threatening to take away dessert from her picky eaters.

Better look out now - Momma's losing patience!! Yup. That'll have them quaking in their boots.



* * * * *

BREAKING NEWS: One barrier taken down. Well, maybe the kiddies realize that Momma really does mean it this time.

MORE UPDATES: Lots of conflicting stories: Are all the barricades down, or just some? Are talks on now, or still off? Obviously the Caledonia residents are still being terrorized. I heard through the grapevine that house prices are way down in Caledonia. Not surprising, I guess.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Good Read for your lazy Sunday

The Toronto Sun is packed with juicy tidbits today.

First of all we have an awesome editorial "Coal Fired Plants are Back - again". Read how Dalton McGuilty has actually re-broken a promise! This is a feat that not very many politicians have accomplished. It will surely go down in history as one of his greater coups.

In other words, McGuinty has now RE-broken (yes, you read that right) his 2003 election promise to close all of the province's coal-fired plants -- which supply about 20% of Ontario's energy needs -- first by 2007 and then by 2009.


In actual fact the decision to re-open the Lambton coal-fired plant was a no-brainer, but how much are you willing to listen to this guy in the next election? When he makes a promise, will you believe him?

I can only think of one election promise that he kept - the smoking ban. I was at a wedding last night, and the master of ceremonies reminded smokers that by law they had to smoke outdoors, but they had to keep their drinks inside. Works for me, because I hate cigarette smoke, but some of the smokers were a bit perturbed.

I would love to hear from anyone who can think of more than the smoking ban as a promise kept.

* * * *

An update to the Caledonia situation also in the Sun:


The seven face a battery of serious charges, including attempted murder, assault and forcible confinement, after angry protesters surrounded a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle on Friday and dragged out its three occupants.

"They were forcibly removed after they were swarmed," said provincial police Const. Doug Graham.

Then the stolen vehicle was deliberately sped toward a provincial police officer, who was injured as he was pulled out of its path, said Graham

Graham said the officer was treated and released. The stolen vehicle was recovered but no arrests were made.



Reaction from Premier McSquishy:

Premier Dalton McGuinty said Friday he's angry about the way some people at the blockade are behaving, and said he hopes they don't destroy efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute.


Wow! Dem's fightin' words, Dalton!! I bet that has them shaking in their boots. An example of leadership at its finest.

* * * *

Finally, Lorrie Goldstein, the man that Sara and I love to fight over, has an absolutely hilarious column today! "Terror at the CBC" is his brilliant take on what would happen if the politically-correct CBC actually were ever to be taken over by terrorists.

I don't know how he does it, but Lorrie continually outperforms his own incredibly high standards of satire and imagination. How can you not love this guy?

Enjoy your Sunday.


* * * * * *

My apologies that the original post contained so many spelling errors, and got through to the Blogging Tories aggregator that way. Shows what happens when I don't take the time to run the whole thing through a spell-check. I take personal pride in spelling properly, so this is a lesson for me.

Maybe I took that "lazy Sunday" suggestion a bit too far.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Mind Games

Warren Kinsella's "I am not afraid" campaign seems to be gaining momentum. Various bloggers of all political stripes are jumping on the bandwagon. At first blush this seems like an exciting, non-partisan approach to the recent (alleged) terrorist threats.

However, in Friday's National Post, Adam Radwanski countered that while we shouldn't be looking over our shoulders for terrorists to spring out from the bushes, this type of in-your-face nose-thumbing isn't helpful either. He advises that we should simply laugh it off and go about our business. What Kinsella is doing, according to Radwanski, invites too much attention to the matter and feeds the collective ego of the enemy:



"The talk-radio lines and letters pages have been filled with plenty of hand-wringing. Someone apparently felt the need last weekend to break some windows at a mosque. But the sense one gets is that most Torontonians -- at least the ones who live and work downtown, where any terror strike would likely hit -- have modified their behaviour not one iota in the past week.

This is not the reaction we're supposed to be having. From the outset, the message from the media has been that we've been jolted out of our innocence. That life will never be the same. That it's time to be afraid -- very afraid..."


"Personally, I'd say giggling mockingly is just about the best thing ordinary civilians can do. Not because it's funny, of course, that a bunch of young men who grew up in Canada want to kill Canadians. But because giggling is the last thing in the world that those young men would want..."



"...The police, intelligence agents and others who need to spend most of their time worrying about terrorism seem to be on the ball.

As for the rest of us, even the well-intentioned effort to get Torontonians to wear We Are Not Afraid T-shirts -- what Bill Carroll was complaining about -- is too much attention for these guys. Better just to giggle at them."




Today's National Post included this letter to the editor from Alex Mills of Winnipeg:


Re: Be Not Afraid. Be Very Not Afraid, Adam Radwanski, June 9.

I tend to agree with Mr. Radwanski's idea that we should continue on with our normal activities and not give these terrorist thugs the satisfaction of thinking they are disrupting our lives.

But I do not agree "that our pluralistic live-and-let-live spirit is exactly what the jihadis hate most," but rather that is what they take advantage of most...


Only fools would say they are not afraid in these times. Let us go about our everyday lives but at the same time be very, very vigilant. It is time we Canadians took the war on terrorism at home more seriously.




So who is right? What approach is the best? I'm conflicted on this one.

Thoughts? Maybe we should be asking Dr. Phil again.

Friday, June 09, 2006

Anarchy in Caledonia

I watched the Hamilton news tonight (CH) and couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like something out of a made-for-TV movie, or maybe breaking news from a country under dictatorship.

Journalists were attacked and injured. Their equipment and tapes were confiscated. An elderly woman and her husband were stopped and threatened. Her husband ended up in hospital and the woman feared he had suffered a heart attack.

All the while the police watched - and (allegedly) DID NOTHING!!!

This happened today, in Ontario, Canada.

I am not making this up.

What did Premier McGuinty do? He issued a press release from his very safe sanctuary.



* * * * *

UPDATE - This isn't the first time that a reporter has been assaulted in Caledonia. (H/T to JGriffin for the link).

UPPERDATE - Conservative Christian also has a post on this subject. You can check out the comments and see where I lose my temper!


* * * * *

SATURDAY UPDATE: Please check Small Dead Animals for a link to a story about Amerian tourists being dragged from their SUV! Absolutely unbelievable.


SUNDAY UPDATE: Lots of good stuff at Jack's Newswatch about Caledonia. One link leads to a Hamilton Spectator story about the OPP finally taking action - against the town residents.

MONDAY UPDATE: McGuinty Demands Caledonia Protest End

Federal Court Decides Khadra Gets Passport

And we wonder why the U.S. wants to tighten security at the the border...

The Federal Court ruled Friday that Ottawa can't deny former Guantanamo Bay detainee Abdurahman Khadr a Canadian passport because of national security concerns.

The court has ruled that the federal government was wrong to deny Khadr's application for the travel document in 2004.


Info available at CTV, CBC and CNews.


But don't worry boys and girls. Everything is fine.

Another Red(man)-Faced Moment

Yesterday I received another householder from my MP, Opposition Whip Karen Redman. Since it was the size of a newspaper, I decided to have a look at what Canadian taxpayers are working so hard to subsidize.

The first item that caught my eye was: "Conservative Budget Fails Canadians" in big bold letters on the front page. She goes to list all the ways in which the budget is seriously flawed and inadequate. Then she states:

This federal budget, presented on May 2, fails to provide a sound economic vision for the future and also brings Canada dangerously close to deficit. I find the budget to be irresponsible and short-sighted and I will not support it in the House of Commons.


But of course, we all know what happened. Someone was asleep at the switch, and the budget was passed Tuesday without even a whimper from the opposition.

I was musing to myself that she probably wishes she could claw back all those householders and rewrite her front page story. Then I checked out her website and found the same text with nothing changed!!!

(May I remind you that we are talking about the party whip here - The one who is supposed to be on top of everything...)



As Gilles Duceppe said in Allan Wood's National Post piece on June 7 ("Tory Budget Passes - Accidentally"),

...Duceppe, the Bloc Quebecois leader, suggested it was either an error, as the parties opposed to the budget bill say, which shows that they are "incompetent," or it was not an error and they are "liars."

"Whether it's one or the other, they are not the required qualities for doing politics," Mr. Duceppe said.


It's not often that I agree with a separatist.




* * * * * *

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Check out the June 12 Toronto Sun for an amusing little editorial, "The Gang that Couldn't Vote Straight".

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Spread the Word

Sara at Choice for Childcare has asked fellow bloggers to help promote her June 13 Queen's Park meeting with Ontario MPP's regarding equality in childcare. She is hoping to see all 102 MPP's there.

Please spread the word, and encourage your own MPP to attend if you are an Ontario resident. It looks like an impressive panel and should be very interesting. I'm sure Sara would be more than happy to hear from you if you are able to help or attend. Thanks.

Calling Dr. Phil

Willful blindness is our enemy - We choose to ignore how the same cherished values of multiculturalism and freedom are actually making us vulnerable to attack from within. We are the enablers in this dysfunctional relationship and we don't get it.

We are willfully blind on three fronts: In the media, in politics and in our fear of infiltrating hotbeds of hatred, due to our sacred national tenets.

In the media we see this situation amply demonstrated by fear of appearing racist or simply calling a spade a spade when covering terrorist news. Dr. Roy has spared me the labour of having to address that side of the issue in this space.

In politics, we see politicians as fearful of touching this hot potato as they are of approaching the abortion issue. James Travers makes this point in today's Star, regarding both multiculturalism and immigration policies ("Immigration Under the Microscope"):


What's not so obvious is that the case and trials provide the catalyst for overdue introspection.

It would take a very courageous minority government to tip over two of our most sacred cows to examine the soft underbellies of immigration and multiculturalism.


Actually, Traver's column may very well refute my first argument; but happily so. It shows hope for brain-washed Star reporters and pundits.

Finally, we need to be taking on a collective responsibility for what is happening in our society. Live and let live just doesn't cut it anymore - Parents are too busy to pay attention to how their kids are spending their time; religious authorities don't challenge hate and fear-mongering going on in their own mosques and other institutions; community members ignore what they perceive to be a radical undercurrent in their midst.


The Record features a CP article today titled: "Eldest of the terror suspects, Jamal emerging as most likely leader", by Michael Czobit. Since I assume it is under a subscriber firewall, I'll give you some background:

At the Ar-Rahman Islamic Centre in suburban Mississauga, west of Toronto, Qayyum Abdul Jamal was an influential volunteer who encouraged young people to adopt extremist ideas, said Tarek Fatah, a spokesman for the Canadian Muslim Congress. Fatah knew Jamal, a father of four, as the fellow who cleaned the bathroom and took out the trash at the mosque, which was frequented by six others who were apprehended over the weekend in what police allege was a plot to stage a terrorist attack on Canadian soil...


"This is a guy who muscled into the mosque and threw out the old board," Fatah said. "I know he has not hidden his contempt for Canadian institutions and society."

Jamal discouraged young people at the mosque from participating in politics and urged them to commit to a "religiosity that isolates," he added.



My question is how did that "old board" get thrown out? Didn't someone think to challenge Jamal? Where were the parents?


In his book, Life Strategies, Dr. Phil McGraw says in chapter five, "You can't change what you don't acknowledge":

If you refuse to acknowledge your own self-destructive behaviors, not only will they continue, they will actually gain momentum, become more deeply entrenched in the habitual patterns of your life, and grow more and more resistant to change.


Well, I think we need to get Dr. Phil up here and challenge our head-in-the-sand approach. I'm sure the first thing he would do is grin and say, "Well, how's that working for you?"

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Rachel Marsden tells it like it is (again)

Rachel Marden's latest column in the New York Post showcases her sardonic wit and stinging accuracy regarding Canada's complacent and politically correct attitude toward terrorist threats (or if you're a CBC employee, "alleged bomb threats from non racially-profiled suspects").

Some of my many favourite quotes:

So why, people here ask, would anyone want to do damage to Toronto? Maybe they don't. No one has been convicted of anything yet. Maybe the three tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer that the suspects allegedly ordered were going to be used to grow a massive garden that would spell out "I Love Canada!" in tulips.
And that cell phone jimmied up to a circuit board, seized in the police raid? That doesn't have to be a detonator. Some kids put spoilers and shiny rims on their Honda Civics; maybe others just like to fiddle with their phones because Nokia can't keep up with the technological preferences of today's young Muslims.

Yes, I guess it's possible that various law-enforcement agencies that normally can't agree on what kind of pizza to order conspired against 17 innocent Muslims.
Oh, man! This is Rachel at her best. The National Post really blew it when they gave her the boot; er when they came to a mutual decision to end the relationship.

Enjoy!



* * * * * *

Update: Another fan of Rachel Marsen's column (and Christy Blatchford's, among others).

H/T to Nealenews.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Allegations that PM was on Hit List

Shocking breaking news from suspect's lawyer Gary Batasar, that:

"My client's alleged to have been part of a plot to blow up Parliament Buildings in Canada, storm the CBC, take over the CBC, as well as, among other things, behead the prime minister," Batasar said.


More reports from CTV and National Post. H/T to Nealenews and Soccermom.


* * * * *

Check out the Colbert Report for more on this frightening story.

Canada to Blame for Alleged Threat of Violence

From today's Record: ("Smart Integration is a Must for Country's Muslims")

Minorities are usually consciously or unconsciously excluded from full participation in the life of the country. As a result, they become self-conscious social units sharing a sense of belonging to a group that sees itself as distinct from society's dominant majority.


- Mohamed Elmasry, National President of the Canadian Islamic Congress, Waterloo.


And more:

To my knowledge, there is no academic research done in Canada or any other Western country to address the social aspects of this problem. The Canadian Islamic Congress urged the federal government in 2003 to allocate research funding to academia to do the needed research in partnership with the community, but we were turned down.

Today, the government spends money to police the problem but zero money on well-documented university research.





So there you go folks. Now we have finally uncovered the reason why some young Muslims in Canada are "allegedly" resorting to violence and terror to further their cause. It is the fault of Canadian society and the government.



This from the man who once said on the Michael Coren show, that all Israeli civilians over 18 are legitimate targets for suicide bombers.

So Canada, please take note and change the attitude. Now that we have this problem solved, I guess we can all move on.

I myself am breathing a big sigh of relief today.



* * * * *

In his piece, Professor Elmasry also said:

But then the question will become why were a few Canadian Muslim youth trying to make a political statement using violence instead of using peaceful means available in a liberal democracy like Canada.

It seems that at least one of the alleged terrorists already tried that avenue (H/T to Daimnation!)


Monday, June 05, 2006

Yet Another Reason Why I Love Lorrie Goldstein

Lorrie Goldstein has provided a bit of comical relief from the shocking events of the weekend. His latest column (And he saw that it was good), in the Toronto Sun tells of a purely fictional character named "Dalton McSquishy". Now there's a new moniker I'll have to add to my ever-growing list!

In the world of McSquishy, life is perfect. He has followed through with one promise which he believes will save his scrawny little neck before the next election.

Hopefully that will end up being fiction as well.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

"...and the Real Enemy was us"

Like everyone else, I am trying to come to terms with yesterday's events.

Debris Trail has posted an awesome piece about our collective willful blindness with matters concerning security in our own country. It is worth the read for the literary value alone. The message resonates long afterward.

I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers here, but I do think that we need to question our unremitting and sacrosanct commitment to multiculturalism, political correctness and fear of the appearance of racial profiling with regards to matters of national security.

Muslim leaders and parents of the accused are trying to diffuse the situation with comments like:

"I'm shocked. It's crazy. It's just crazy. It has no meaning whatsoever," said Mohammed Abdelhaleen, father of accused 30-year-old Shareef Abdelhaleen. (CTV)


Aly Hindy, an imam at a Toronto mosque, said he knew most of the accused and believed they were not involved in terrorism-related activities.

"But the problem is these days when a Muslim commits fraud, it becomes terrorism. When he commits stealing it becomes terrorism," he told reporters outside the courtroom. (CBC)


According to a CTV Newsnet report, one of the brothers of the accused said of his sibling, "He's not a terrorist. He's a Canadian citizen".

Now is the time to come to terms with the fact that this is not a mutually exclusive concept.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

A Plea for Sanity - and Courage

Can there be a middle ground on social issues?

There has been lots of debate on this blog and countless others regarding various social issues. Some people frame them as "rights". However, Canadian values have been highjacked by the extreme left of the continuum, thanks to militant activist groups representing their particular agenda. We have been force-fed this propaganda so long, that we are afraid to speak out for fear of being labelled "right-wing religious bigot" or "against human rights" or "against equality". Oh, they did a good job alright. And we swallowed it - hook, line and sinker. Well, some of us did.

We now know the election promise of a free vote on same-sex marriage will be fulfilled in the fall. According to the Sun, MPs will simply vote "on reopening discussion of same-sex marriage, rather than directly on the existing legislation."

Most people have likely heard enough of the rhetoric from both sides and are firmly entrenched in their positions. But why can't there be a compromise? Why are civil unions not good enough for Canadian homosexuals, but they are for British gay and lesbian "rights" groups. How and why are Canadian "rights" different from those of Britain, Australia, France, Germany, etc.? These are not backward third world countries.

France seems to be even recognizing the Rights of the Child as trumping adult lifestyle choices. If the notion that gay marriage as a "human right" is such an absolute truth, how is it that so many other modern countries don't share this supposedly universal knowledge and belief? Why is it that only our Canadian Courts have this view?

Again, with abortion we have been highjacked to the extreme left thanks to feminists, women's rights' groups and Liberal judges. The right of a woman to extinguish human life at any point in her pregnancy is paramount. Yet, Canada is one of the few countries in the world without any law or restriction on abortion at all. It is even legal (but hardly ethical) to abort for gender selection.

The latest issue of the Western Standard contains a shocking article, "Canada's Lost Daughters".

In Canada, the law makes no distinction between those seeking to terminate a pregnancy because the fetus has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder, or even because it's a product of rape, and those seeking to select the sex of their fetus."

Why is the "right" of a Canadian woman to destroy her preborn child at any stage for any reason, so much more important than practically anywhere else in the world? And again, what about the "right" of the late-term aborted baby to at least not have to feel pain as it is ripped apart or stabbed in the back of the neck? We have more sympathy and "rights" groups for animals.

Middle ground, folks. That's all I'm asking for. And maybe an intervention from a few more rational and civilized countries in the hope that we can somehow become deprogrammed from all these years of leftist brainwashing.




* * * * * * *


IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!: The June 6 National Post includes a reprint of the Western Standard article on the use of abortion as a form of gender selection.

Note to militant feminists: There won't be too many women left to champion your cause if you continue to fight for the right to abort females in Canada.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Liberal Agenda Goes Underground

Several Blogging Tories have disclosed the alarming news that somehow slipped by all of us: Polygamy has been allowed limited status in Canada. (H/T to Dust My Broom, SpiderMan's Web, RootleWeb, At Home in Hespeler, and many others.)

According to Sun Media, documents released "through access to information show polygamous marriages have been recognized "for limited purposes" to enforce financial obligations of husbands with multiple wives."

I am having trouble understanding just who decreed that this would be so, but evidence does point to some decisions "where provinces have recognized them (polygamous marriages) for marital property division, spousal support and potentially for public law benefits and burdens."

The interesting thing is that this is all coming out under access to information requests. Why was this kept so quiet?

During the federal election this past January, a study for the Justice Department was somehow leaked. It suggested that Canada should "get rid of its law banning polygamy and change other legislation to help women and children living in such multiple-spouse relationships."

There was a great outcry, and we naively thought that was the end of it.

O.K. Jancis M. Andrews. Where are you when I need you?

Pounding the Pavement

Candace on Waking up on Planet X is offering free advice for job seekers.

It is an excellent read and very apropos in this household, since my son has just finished Computer Engineering Technology with a 78% average, and is in search of permanent employment in the K-W area.

It's a scary time as we all remember - That moment when you leave the safety and comfort of a predictable school routine and face the real world head-on. Your self-esteem is very fragile as you try to sell yourself and face the possibility of rejection with every tentative effort.

So today I am shamelessly using this blog to solicate any more free advice and tips for my six-foot baby robin whom we are trying to assist as he flaps his wings in anticipation of someday leaving our humble nest.