Gutsy Post

Today's letters to the Editor alerted me to an item I had completely overlooked in yesterday's National Post - They had reprinted one of the infamous Danish cartoons.

I had read both articles on the page regarding the arrest of three men who had plotted to murder the Danish cartoonist, as well as the one about Soharwardy dropping his HRC complaint against Levant, and not even noticed the accompanying graphic of Mohammed with the bomb in his turban.

Which all goes to show that either I am a very unperceptive reader, or else this whole issue has been blown out of proportion to a ridiculous degree.

By way of contrast to the moxy of the Post, consider Ezra's observation of how the Mothercorps handled the cartoon - pixellated! Yet no holds barred when it comes to depicting anything that might offend Christians.

Normally I would say to purchase your media carefully, and yet when it comes to the CBC we have no choice. Our taxes fund it whether we agree with their editorial viewpoint or not.

Something has to change.

* * * *

Islam and the war against freedom of expression - Spero news.

Saturday Update - Our cherished right to blaspheme: Post.

Clinging to the Nanny State mentality

I have to give credit to the Kitchener Record for not getting sucked into the Karen Redman vortex of blaming the Federal Government for everything that goes wrong in Canada.


Yesterday in Question Period, Kitchener Liberal MP Karen Redman demanded (updated link):

Mr. Speaker, the crisis in the auto parts industry is getting worse and still the government does nothing. Kitchener Frame announced that it is throwing 1,200 people out of work and this is a huge blow to the Waterloo region

Will the government finally admit that there is a strong role for the federal government? How many good Canadian jobs have to disappear before the government does something about this emergency?

By contrast, the Record points to a variety of factors causing the carnage, including the stubborn stand of the CAW brass which refuses to consider wage cuts (Let's work to save Kitchener Frame):

...Unfortunately, CAW president Buzz Hargrove has fingered the federal government as Kitchener Frame's saviour, as if it wields a magic wand that can set everything right. Hargrove should look to his own organization and the company for salvation. The threats facing Kitchener Frame, as well as other auto parts manufacturers, are mainly beyond the federal government's power to control.

High labour costs, particularly compared to those in similar plants in Mexico, declining demand for the sports utility vehicle frames the company makes, increased transportation costs as well as the high Canadian dollar -- these are the series of body blows that have sent Kitchener Frame reeling. Despite having coffers stuffed with billions of taxpayer dollars, the federal government just isn't rich enough to turn back the global economic and market tides washing over -- and away -- Canadian industry...

Of course, unions shouldn't be blamed exclusively either. It is however, a huge factor contributing to the perfect storm that's tearing the heart out of automobile manufacturing in Ontario.

Karen Redman's simplistic attitude of demanding that more taxpayer money be thrown at an industry which needs to undergo some serious introspection is disingenuous, irresponsible and only serves to pander to the interests of the buddy of her ex-boss.


Even if Corporate Welfare could be used to save some companies the Record points out, "if it does intervene selectively, who gets saved and who is allowed to perish?"

Instead of trying to score points in QP with useless accusations and pointless questions, perhaps Karen Redman could start addressing the concerns of her constituents with suggestions of realistic methods of helping workers adjust to economics changes that are part of the ebb and flow of life - and to which we must all adapt.

* * * *

More from At Home in Hespeler - Auto Industry Bloodbath continues.

Climbing out of the Dark - Buzz, Lightyear's Behind!

Checkmate!

John Ivison explains how Dion is going to have a hard time getting his mitts on the federal coffers even if the Liberals actually win the next election - Harper keeping Dion out of the money:

The problem for the Liberals is that Stephen Harper has devised a cunning plan that will stop the Grits getting their mitts on the cash. When the Liberal plan to re-direct the surplus toward program spending was put to the Prime Minister at a function on Monday, he responded with a grin: “I’ve already thought of that.”

Under the Tax Back Guarantee the Conservatives introduced last year, any unplanned surpluses automatically go to reduce the federal debt at the end of the fiscal year, with any savings in interest payments being re-allocated to tax relief. The Conservatives plan to make Mr. Dion’s spending plans part of their election campaign and have already run attack ads suggesting the Liberal leader is “not worth the risk” when it comes to reckless expenditure in a slowing economy.

- Forcing the Grits to be fiscally responsible, even if the present Government falls.

My admiration of Stephen Harper increases each day.

* * * *

Update: Dion's pledges thin on reality - Ivison. (Saturday Post)

They'd have to pay ME!

Stephen Taylor first broke this story several days ago, but the Globe has picked it up - For Liberal's, the 'sky is the limit' tonight.

It seems that those crafty Liberals think they have found a way around fundraising limits by holding an auction with Liberal politicians being pimped out as the prize.

...Elections Canada spokesman John Enright said he was seeking legal advice on how auctions involving politicians should be interpreted.

"As a general rule," he said, "... anything over and above the commercial value of it would have to be declared as a contribution."

New Democratic MP Charlie Angus said anything above the price of the golf or hockey game should be a donation, and the $1,100 annual limit for individual donations should be respected.

So how much would you pay for the privilege of playing golf with Paul Martin?

Well, I guess we're obviously not paying enough to have him show up in Parliament...

* * * *

Second thoughts - CBC updates the story.


Related - Canada's Liberals split over forcing election: Reuters.

..."I haven't changed my view. I think the government needs to be brought down as soon as possible," said Liberal legislator Garth Turner.

"There are some of my colleagues who would rather have their kidneys harvested without anesthetic than go to an election, but that's kind of normal I think. In any caucus you're going to find hawks and doves," Turner told reporters...

...If the Liberals do hold their fire it could help them to address their internal problems. The party's fund-raising efforts have fallen far short of the Conservatives' and officials are still looking for a campaign plane.

Yeah, and tonight's efforts may well fizzle out as well.

* * * *

This is a MUST-SEE!!!! Smackdown - Peter Van Loan Scores on Ken Dryden - Officially Screwed.

Thursday Update: Stephen Taylor - Liberals back down from fundraiser, choose to follow law.

Towards a 'more inclusive' Ontario

McGuinty wants to drop the Lord's Prayer at Queen's Park, or else have rotating prayers from different faiths.

Do atheists have their own prayer? And what about the environmentalists?

'Race-based policy' continues in Caledonia

As the Second Anniversary of the Douglas Creek occupation/reclamation draws closer, MPP Toby Barrett registers his disgust with the two-tiered system in Caledonia - Police Ignoring Native Violence, MPP Alleges.

It's amazing how McGuinty acted so outraged when the protesters suggested wintering through the first year. Now it's just become an accepted way of dealing with native disputes - Bend over and take it.


So thanks to Dalton, we now have Race-Based school funding in Ontario, as well as Race-Based policing.

Clearly, some citizens are more equal than others.

How deliciously ironic

Kinsella quits the Post, and one of his Wicked Witches appears with a column - Gag me with a memo.

Siscoe discusses the substance. I would only add that this topic is almost as toxic as abortion. One word of support from the government and the Prince of Darkness would be invoking Godwin to the point where the letter "N" would no longer be functioning on his keyboard.

* * * *

Related: Muslim leader drops complaint against Levant - Post.

Trio arrested, accused of plot to kill cartoonist - Post.

And speaking of Godwin, totalitarian states and incitement, check out this analysis by criminologist John Martin in the Province.

* * * *

Thursday Update: Now it's Kate! Siscoe asks, D'ya think Kinsella's head exploded?

Tidy summary of today's events on the Hill

The previous post was getting a bit messy, but thankfully the Post has come to the rescue with a preview of John Ivison's column for tomorrow - Canada dodges election bullet as Dion backs down.

He summarizes the political highpoints of today's Drama on the Hill, and gives his own conclusions on where that leaves us regarding an impending spring election.

According to Ivison, there is a good chance that today's events may have deflated two out of three possible election triggers. The one which remains is the budget, but he suggests that the Bloc may support the government if there is room to negotiate. However that depends on badly Duceppe wants an election.

Interesting times indeed.


Of course ChuckerCanuk has his own take on things.

* * * *

In other news, the Ottawa Gong Show carries on. Losing its audience, I would say.

Friday Update: The Liberals' many Afghan policies - Post

Liberals walk out on vote

CTV's Graham Richardson has just reported that the Liberals walked out of the commons before the vote on the Senate.


CBC says the bottom line is that there won't be an election over this vote.

I would say that the bottom line is actually that they were tired of sitting on their bottoms!

* * * *

Update: Liberals walk out of of Confidence Vote on crime bill - CBC

4:25 Update: CTV - Tories table crime bill motion, Liberals walk out.

4:35 Motion passes as Grits abstain - Globe

Harper Press Conference

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is holding a press conference at this moment regarding the Liberal motion on Afghanistan.

It sounds hopeful that both sides can reach a compromise. Harper says he will look carefully at the proposals.

Robert Fife says it is important to note that this will be a bi-partisan consensus, and that there may be enough common ground to keep forces in until 2011.

He suggests that this may even lessen the Liberal Party's desire for a spring election, since they feel the economy will worsen throughout the year and this could be a disadvantage for the government.

In any case, I believe this could be the best possible scenario for our soldiers and the Afghan citizens. Canadians need to be united on the issue of Afghanistan.

* * * *

Update: PM vows compromise on Afghan Mission - Globe

CTV - Harper, Dion open to compromise on Afghan mission. Check out some of the comments. Here's the first one:

From a 'Serving Soldier' - "I will gladly go back to Afghanistan under the national political leadership of Stephen Harper and the Conservatives, knowing that they have my back.

With either Dion or Layton at the helm, I'll be the first one off the ship."

If Layton is at the helm, I think I'll jump off the ship with you.

Note to lottery ticket purchasers

Write down where you bought your lottery ticket or you may be subjected to interrogation that would make Ezra Levant's ordeal look like a cakewalk (of course in Ezra's situation it may have been the HRC official ended up more humiliated) - Never buy another (Sun). This overkill solution must be OLG's response to Lottogate.

Vivian Bechard of Burlington said she was sent away empty-handed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation when she tried to claim a $50,000 prize from a Crossword scratch ticket.

"I have never been so depressed as the day I tried to get my money," she said.

Bechard is new to the area and couldn't remember where she bought her winning ticket -- a question the OLG wanted answered.

'A NIGHTMARE'

"They kept me in the waiting room for hours, then I went into a room with a man who had a tape recorder and the way he was talking to me was terrible," she said. "It was a nightmare. I was in tears. They made me feel like I stole the ticket."

Bechard and her sister-in-law booked a trip to the Dominican Republic to celebrate the win, but now she has to borrow money to pay for it because she hasn't received her prize.

The ordeal put her and husband Dan off playing the lottery again.

"I'll never buy another ticket again. It's a horror show," Dan said, noting they missed the RRSP deadline because of the investigation that the OLG launches into every win over $10,000.

Treating ordinary citizens like criminals but letting the real ones get off with a slap on the hand.

Only in Ontario.

* * * *

Wednesday Update: Lotto prize regrets - Sun.

Moving ahead on year-round pesticide ban

The World's Most Intelligent Community has decided that McGuinty's promise isn't happening fast enough.

- Because too many people are destroying the dandelions on their snowbanks.


So who's next?






More brilliance from the World's Most Intelligent Community. *Sigh*

Do you smell an election?

David Akin was just on CTV commenting after the opening of today's Question Period about the likelihood of an imminent election.

His thoughts were that if Duceppe makes a deal with Harper regarding aid for the forestry industry, then perhaps the Bloc will support the budget, which is a confidence motion.

And if the Government and Dion can find some common ground on Afghanistan, perhaps that confidence motion could be passed.

Which leaves the Senate-Crime confidence motion. My hope is that the plodding Liberal Senators finally become aware of the growing level of animosity and frustration among the population and even among certain provincial leaders, and do the right thing for the safety of Canadians.


So perhaps there may not be an election this spring after all; especially in view of the fact that there would be very little benefit to anyone.

* * * *

Update: O.K. I could be wrong - Harper ready to ask GG to pull plug: Post.

Federal budget will be tabled Feb. 26 - CTV.

Don Martin - Liberals a party of unhappy families.

Chantel Hebert - Rookie Dion still looks like he's not ready for prime time

...While Harper, Layton and Duceppe are already electioneering, Dion is looking like he is auditioning for the part of Hamlet...

Ouch!!!

Quotes of the week

From the Globe's Blogolitics.

I think Robert Fife's has to be my favourite:

CTV's Robert Fife on the Commons ethics committee: "It's clear that this committee has run out of steam when it has to call Brian Mulroney's former chef. What’s next, the former pizza delivery man?"

You want fries with that egg-on-your-face, Chairman Szabo?

On questionable taste

Only Kate could have pulled this one off. Kinsella got sucked in - hook, line and sinker.

I think Bluetech said it best:

I can picture him with his Barney doll...in a heap of Rubble.

So which was it? The greatest pwn of all time, a joke gone too far or flagrantly anti-Semitic? I've got mixed feelings on this one.


All in all though, not a great weekend for Kinsella.


Many more opinions from Blogging Tories. And one from the left.

So in the end, who got who? And who cares?

* * * *

Speaking of the National Post and bad taste, what did everyone think of their weekend "Love & Sex" edition? These readers were clearly not impressed.

Test

My IHTG is working on some changes including a domain name change, but still hosted by blogger.

If you notice anything unusual, please let me know. Thanks.

Definition diversion

Sunmedia's Lorrie Goldstein has issued a challenge to readers. - Finding the right words.

He asks us to come up with some mocking terminology of our own to counter that used by special-interest groups such as that of AGW fanatics who attempt to stifle disagreement by calling anyone who has a different opinion, a 'denier'.

Example:

DAVID SUZUKIITIS

Definition: The belief that everyone is entitled to their own opinion about global warming ... as long as it agrees with yours and that if not, they should be jailed.

Here's my submission:

HARRIS HYPERBOLE:

Definition: The tendency of McGuinty strategists, Julian Falconer, and anyone else with a politically-correct agenda to blame Mike Harris for any past, present or future problems in Ontario - or the rest of Canada for that matter. In case of desperation, the names of Stephen Harper, George Bush and lockstep may also be substituted.


Enjoy your Sunday.

* * * *

BTW, my IHTG may be 'experimenting' this afternoon. In the event of catastrophic failure, it's been a great Journey. Thanks for the memories.

Why don't we just canonize him?

Henry Morgentaler for Order of Canada - via Dust my Broom:

“It's blasphemy that this hasn't happened, a national embarrassment,” said Cathie Colombo, the long-time assistant to Dr. Morgentaler who is leading the charge. Ms. Colombo said a new nomination will be sent to the Chancellery of Honours within days. “Even if you don't agree with his views, you can't deny the impact he's had on Canadian society.”

You sure can't.

That's a lot of little lives snuffed out.

More at Christian Conservative.

* * * *

Sidenote:

I'm sure that Preacher Suzuki would be in favour of Henry Morgentaler receiving the Order of Canada. Why not? He's got one too, for his "unwavering dedication to sustainable development and for his criticism of human activities that threaten our planet."

How many of those tiny souls might have grown up to be carbon-emitting, earth-fouling defilers of Mother-Earth, or even worse - 'Denier' politicians who would have required imprisonment for their lack of faith in his side of 'the science'?


Let us all give thanks that Henry Morgentaler's mother chose not to have an abortion.

Post - David de Torquemada: Lorne Gunter.

What if you ended a writers' strike...

And nobody cared? Well, I don't anyway.

For my loyal readers

Just a quick note to let you know that my IHTG and I have been discussing some changes to Joanne's Journey.

You may see some strange experimentation, or the blog may even be inaccessible at times. Please don't worry. Just trying some things out.

Thanks for your patience.

The polygamy quagmire in Toronto

It looks like the Toronto Sun opened up a can of worms when they reported yesterday that "hundreds of GTA Muslim men in polygamous marriages -- some with a harem of wives -- are receiving welfare and social benefits for each of their spouses".


Today, Tom Godfrey writes about the backlash - Polygamy Under Fire.

An abuse of the welfare system by GTA Muslim men allowed to live in polygamous marriages under a controversial Ontario law was met with shock and outrage yesterday.

Politicians and the public reacted angrily to an exclusive story in yesterday's Toronto Sun about how the men collected social benefits for up to four wives.

Mumtaz Ali, president of the Canadian Society of Muslims, said hundreds of members of his community in polygamous marriages have been collecting welfare for some time.

The Ontario Family Law Act recognizes wives in polygamous marriages as spouses, providing the marriages were conducted legally under Islamic law abroad.

Ali said Muslims now want the polygamous marriages to be recognized under federal immigration laws so they can legally sponsor their wives here. Immigration spokesman Karen Shadd-Evelyn said only one marriage is recognized in Canada...

My concern with that last paragraph should be quite obvious to my readers. Ontario recognizes polygamous marriages, and now the pressure is going to be put on the feds.

Since we obviously already give tacit approval to polygamous living arrangements in Canada in terms of financial support and by turning a blind eye, why not give it legal recognition and stop the pretense?

Or is the real problem that the 'slippery slope' argument might then indeed be valid, and no one wants to admit it?

* * * *

Update: Please check out Jack's Newswatch for more discussion on this topic.

KerPlonka!: My socially liberal side.

Gay and Right: Muslim in-breeding in the UK...

Saturday Update: Canada-Dial-a-marriage, eh! - Sun.

Best MDL clip ever!

Lots of good stuff on Mike Duffy Live tonight. Strange, though. The website seems to be an eclectic mix of yesterday's and today's segments, instead of the usual ones from the current day's program only.

What's missing is the spirited tête-à-tête between Liberal strategist Scott Reid and Conservative strategist Tim Powers, who were discussing election possibilities.

Towards the end of the segment, Scott Reid says:

"...this is what this is all about. You're scared to death of where the economy's going because you've done nothing; you don't plan to do anything, and you know that if you don't pull the plug on this Parliament now, it's going to end in tears and ... um, blood."

Duff: "I thought you were going to say beer!"

Reid (Grimacing): "Oh, Duff, that's so funny..."


Powers (Laughing): "He said it, not me!"


Duff: "I know... Take him out & shoot him..."

O.K. O.K. - You'd have to be a political junkie to get it...

Who's got the REAL secret agenda?

Q. What do Stephane Dion and David Suzuki have in common?

A. Someone to help put out the fires of their inflammatory rhetoric.


In Dion's case, it was the Liberal party that had to issue a statement explaining what the Leader of the Official Opposition really meant to say. He didn't actually want to send troops into Pakistan or "stuff like that".

David Suzuki's challenge to university students to look for a "legal way of throwing our so-called leaders into jail" was explained thusly:

Dan Maceluch, a spokesman for Dr. Suzuki, said that he did not mean the statement to be taken literally.

"He's not advocating locking people up, but he is pulling his hair out."

(Post - H/T ChuckerCanuk) A great read, BTW!


Dion's gaffe was likely just another example of his bumbling inability to communicate, which is a somewhat disconcerting quality in someone aspiring to become Prime Minister.

However, in the case of David Suzuki, I very much doubt that he didn't intend his comment to be taken in a more literal sense.

For one thing, as Terry O'Neill observed yesterday, this wasn't the first time Suzuki had made this type of remark:

...So what exactly has Suzuki, who is on the university-lecture circuit these days, been saying? For starters, he told a University of Toronto audience last month that the next federal election ought to be about the environment. No problem there. However, as reported by a student newspaper, he then opined that government leaders who aren't acting quickly enough to save the environment "should go to jail for what they're not doing right now … What our government is not doing is a criminal act."

His allegation of law-breaking was apparently no mere slip of the tongue. Speaking a few weeks later at McGill University, Suzuki again equated governments' alleged inaction on the environment with a criminal act; in fact, he is reported to have said students ought to find a legal way to throw politicians in jail for ignoring climate-change science...

However, here's an interesting tidbit via Mark Peters in his post Rule by Autocratic Scientists. He quotes authors David Shearman and Joseph Wayne Smith in a recent op-ed, Climate Change - Is Democracy Enough?:

...Liberal democracy is sweet and addictive and indeed in the most extreme case, the USA, unbridled individual liberty overwhelms many of the collective needs of the citizens. . .
There must be open minds to look critically at liberal democracy. Reform must involve the adoption of structures to act quickly regardless of some perceived liberties. . .

...We are going to have to look how authoritarian decisions based on consensus science can be implemented to contain greenhouse emissions...

Prometheus also quotes the following:

[T]he authors conclude that an authoritarian form of government is necessary, but this will be governance by experts and not by those who seek power.

Mark Peters has summarized this whole thing very well with his closing paragraph in which he cites the 'two chief enemies of liberal democracy in addition to islamic jihadism':

1. Scientists with a penchant for expert authoritarianism, and
2. Our learned deference to so-called expert opinion; our near reverence of anyone sporting a PhD.

To which I would only add:

3. Our lemming mentality that allows others do our thinking for us.

* * * *

Related: A reader just notified me via email that the word "Lemming" has hit Parliament. Check out Thursday Feb. 7 Hansard, Statements by Members, Mike Lake - Tackling Violent Crime:

In a couple of minutes, the Liberal leader will stand up, cheered on by his team of Liberal lemmings. I hope he will use this opportunity to tell the House that in his long-awaited first act of leadership he is demanding that his unelected Liberal senators stop playing political games with the safety of Canadians.

Saturday Update: The Suzuki shtick - Post.

Sunday Update: The Nature of Suzuki - Calgary Herald

Lorrie Goldstein - Finding the right words.

Do you know where YOUR tax dollars are going?

This is actually not news, but Ontario (and especially Toronto) tax payers should be aware that "hundreds of GTA Muslim men in polygamous marriages -- some with a harem of wives -- are receiving welfare and social benefits for each of their spouses, thanks to the city and province..."

Today's Sun features a report (Harems pay off for Muslims) that explains how Canada is "way ahead of Britain in this respect."

I'm just so proud.

* * * *

Related: Obviously Raphael is one of the many Canadians not aware of our generous policy.

Well, how else are we going to deal with our low birth rate here in Canada? Restrict abortions?

Update: SDA has another link - via If you build it they will come.

Mark Peters - Polygamy is lucrative in Ontario.

Neo - Apparently nobody was watching...

* * * *

Saturday Update: Only one wife gets benefits: Province - Post.

"Nothing is stopping the other people who live in the same dwelling from applying as individuals, and if they meet the requirements they may be eligible for social assistance, but you definitely cannot tick off that you have more than one spouse because it's not recognized, it's not legal in Ontario," said Julia Sakas, communications assistant to Ms. Meilleur.

The other side of the story

Since I'm such a glutton for punishment, I'll continue with the abortion theme. Today's Post featured a Counterpoint to Garson Romalis' speech.

Dr. Paul Ranalli explains Why I am not an Abortion Doctor:

...I also condemn the personal threats and attacks on them by a radical few whose actions are the antithesis of promoting life and have left a blot on the mainstream pro-life movement. This is a blot that abortion advocates -- and their supporters in much of the media -- have exploited repeatedly to try to silence the reasonable moral arguments against abortion and its unrestrained practise in Canada today....

This is so true. You see this same argument used over and over. Just because some lunatic has tried to kill an abortion doctor does not mean therefore that all pro-lifers are crazy, and that their concerns are invalid.


Dr. Ranalli discusses the possible reasons why so few doctors wish to pursue abortions as a specialty and comes to this conclusion:

...No, the pro-choice movement refuses to confront the main reason doctors do not gravitate to performing abortions: They don't like to kill. Even putting aside "pro-life" doctors, many of those physicians who would nominally sign off as "pro-choice" would prefer that someone else per-form abortions...

...And the procedure is used as a weapon of genocide against female fetuses in a number of ethnic communities in Canada, an especially bitter truth for feminists to swallow...

Nobody responded to my challenge to deal with that one in the previous post on abortion.


Ranalli closes with this haunting paragraph which I also thought of when reading Romalis' speech:

...Dr. Romalis closes by recounting the story of a female medical student who came up to him to thank him for performing an abortion on her some years earlier. She said, "If it weren't for you I wouldn't be here now." For balance, I would ask about the many future women doctors who were aborted in the womb. To quote Robert Kennedy: "I dream of things that never were, and ask why not."

This debate will never be settled to everyone's satisfaction. It isn't possible.

But let's at least grant each other the courtesy to be heard, without this constant explosion of hostility and anger.

Your chance to rant

I have to dig myself out of a ton of 'global warming' at the mouth of our driveway, so please free to use this as an open thread for your ranting pleasure. (That was a joke, Suzuki-worshippers.)

Unfortunately, I have to keep Comment Moderation on due to this post, but I'll check in from time to time.

I often wonder what would happen if I wrote a post with the title 'Abortion' and nothing else. Would the flaming comments still occur?


On another note, how many female bloggers out there have to deal with jerks (usually on the left) throwing the c-word at them? Just wondering.

Actually, I'll take it as a sign that I must be doing something right. ;)

* * * *

Update: Warren Kinsella must be having similar problems:

...If I wasn't having an impact, a friend said to me this morning, why would they bother?

Canadian Blog Awards - Best Conservative blog - And the winner is...

Small Dead Animals! (Was there ever any doubt?) - Award presented by Tim Powers (I love his accent!)

Congrats all my colleagues. It was quite a thrill to be in the top five, and among such distinguished bloggers - many of whom I've admired for years. Thanks to everyone who voted for me.

Kudos to all the organizers, especially Saskboy who has done such an awesome job with the winner announcements. So far my favourite is the Snow Birds announcing Best Military Blog.

Anyway, a special thanks goes out to reader 'Kingston' tonight for nominating Joanne's Journey, and to everyone who's travelled along with me.

It would be a lonely ride without you.

* * * *

Main page to the Canadian Blog Awards is available here. We sure do have a lot of diverse blogging talent in Canada!

I should also mention that there are many noteworthy Conservative bloggers on the Blogging Tories blogroll. Please take the time to check them out.

Senator 'concerned' about raising age of consent

Did anyone else see Liberal senator Sharon Carstairs on Mike Duffy Live tonight?

Please! I need to vent.

* * * *

Related: Tories threaten election over crime bill - CTV


Halls of Macadamia - Hey Steffi...

ChuckerCanuk - Liberal Senate: "Don't You Raise That Age of Consent!"

Justice Denied

Christina Blizzard's column in today's Sun, Delays Derailing Ontario's Courts, she makes a point similar to one made by a reader in a recent post. Möbius observed:

These cops are presumably innocent until proven guilty. They must be royally pissed that they will not have their day in court.

Imagine the pall hanging over their lives, accused of corruption, with no chance to defend themselves.

Blizzard drew a similar conclusion using somewhat less colourful language:

...This judicial boondoggle helps no one. And it sends a message to defence lawyers and prosecutors alike that if they rag the puck long enough, they can end up with a stalemate. This judicial foot-dragging not only makes for bad law, it is financially crippling.

Worse, it casts a shadow over the officers involved -- and on police in general.

Charges are stayed, so those accused are free to go. Presumably, they can now return to their work on the force. If I were them, and I were innocent, I would want the case to go to trial -- so I could be vindicated and walk away with my head held high.

This decision denies them that. And society as a whole has been denied a very fundamental and basic right: Judicial proof that our cops, the very people we trust to uphold the law, are honest.

Justice delayed may be justice denied. When justice is denied and it's the integrity of your police that's at stake, we've all been denied something very fundamental to a democratic society.

We obviously have a big problem here in Ontario, because if the public begins to feel suspicious of the police and loses confidence in the justice legal system, it becomes a vicious circle of more crime and more corruption.

I have no answers but sweeping it all under the rug is not an option.

* * * *

Update: We may find some answers here - Justice delayed is justice denied - Post

Friday Update: Crown appeals staying of corruption charges - Star.

Saturday Update: Behind the Toronto Police Scandal - Star.

Monday Update: Provincial prosecutions unit flawed, experts say - Star.

We knew it was only a matter of time...

...until his blog would come back to bite him!

Breaking News re: Afghanistan mission

Newstalk 570 reports that the Government is set to table a motion tomorrow for a confidence vote in March regarding Afghanistan.

Get ready for another election!

Update: Now 570 is backtracking and saying that it could lead to a vote of confidence. Hopefully we'll get this all clarified soon. CTV has a updated statement here. (Dion will seek 'amendments' to Afghan motion.) Check out the comments.

Globe - Dion won't give on combat ban.

Star - Afghan debate set to begin.

CBC - Confidence vote on Afghan mission expected for March.

Post - Afghan mission to be put to a vote.

* * * *

Update #2: A new wrinkle has emerged - Graham Richardson was just on CTV newsnet reporting that Rob Nicholson is planning to go to the Senate to strongly urge them to get the crime bills through, or there could be some interesting consequences that could also trigger an election. So lots going on. Stay tuned.

The truth about abortion - from someone who's been there

Today's National Post features a letter by Denise Mountenay, who is founder of Canada Silent No More, a website dedicated to helping women who have experienced emotional trauma resulting from abortions:

I had abortions when I was younger. I was lied to about fetal development and told it was just a clump of tissue. As a young vibrant woman, independent and aloof, it was made to be a quick, easy out. I had no idea my babies had a beating heart by three weeks, arms, legs, fingers and toes by eight weeks. My so-called "safe and legal" abortion landed me with an infection, damaged cervix and badly scarred uterus. Doctors never told me about the 28 studies linking breast cancer to induced abortion. They never told me about the years of guilt, remorse and deep sorrow for having my own children killed...

This letter was written in response to Dr. Garson Romalis' op-ed about how heroic and altruistic he considers himself to be - Why I am an abortion doctor:

...I can take an anxious woman, who is in the biggest trouble she has ever experiences in her life, and by performing a five-minute operation, in comfort and dignity, I can give her back her life...

If you believe Denise Mountenay's account of her own experience, that woman's problems are just beginning.

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Great story here if you're looking for something upbeat - Daily Mail.

Native Issues Update

For anyone who might be under the false assumption that the Federal Government isn't doing anything regarding native claims, there is in fact a Six Nations meeting going on this evening to discuss a $26 million offer from Ottawa to settle a compensation claim from 1829. Reports available from the Spectator and the Record.


Also, Chief Patrick Brazeau had an excellent letter to the editor in today's Post:

...It is time for Canada to move beyond an archaic position of aboriginal affairs that is rooted in Victorian paternalism that aimed to deal with "the Indian problem," as it was termed in the day. To do so, calls for many to act: Parliament, the machinery of government that often resists progressive change, the national aboriginal leadership and, most importantly, this country's aboriginal peoples.

We have a moral duty and an obligation to act now on behalf of those who seek a better life off-reserve. As a wise man once said, "If not us, whom? If not now, when?"

I have great respect for Chief Brazeau, is the National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. He advocates for off-reserve natives, but challenges all natives to strive for greater self-sufficiency.

Saturday's Post included a great piece by Julie Smythe about Chief Brazeau - Shaking up Canada's native establishment. Well worth the read.

Also please check out the Brazman's blog, Chief Chat. You'll find a respectful discussion going on with natives from both on and off-reserve, as well as non-natives such as myself who are seeking a greater understanding of the problems and challenges that Canadian aboriginals face today.

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Wednesday Update: Chuck Strahl has a letter in today's Post - Canada is helping urban natives.

Where's the bombshell?

Is it just me, or does Norman Spector have nothing other than more questions?


Update: Don Newman just read my mind on Politics - He mused that Spector seemed to have more suspicions than facts.

More at Jack's Newswatch - Especially regarding the Allen Rock testimony - "Le Worm Wriggleth".

Greg Weston makes me gag

Greg Weston's hostility and vitriol directed at the PMO has reached a new low - PM makes 'em gag.

...Even letters to the editor that may be critical of The Conservative Truth are apparently out.

"If you identify yourself as a Canadian Grain Commission employee in a letter to the editor that criticizes government policy relating to (the commission), you could create a perception that your views of government policy are not impartial, and that you may not be able to follow or apply government policy in an impartial manner."

Translation: By all means write to the paper, and be sure to check the want ads for your next job opportunity...

Pull-eeze. Public servants are supposed to appear non-partisan. A few years ago, I was at a large family get-together, and wanted to talk politics with a relative who works for Elections Canada. He shied away from the discussion citing a need to be non-partisan. And that was a Liberal Government, Greg. At a family party. Not even a public forum.

So go find something else to whine about.

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Update: Platty has a new assignment for Weston - How about a Superstore story, Greg?

On regulating 'normal' conduct

Classic Steyn. Don't miss it!

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Tuesday Update: Mark Steyn has Letter of the Day in today's National Post - Why Don't You Sue Me?

...Yet there is no "presumption of innocence" in Section 13 "hate" cases. Au contraire, there is a presumption of guilt, which is why no one hauled before the CHRC under Section 13 has ever been acquitted -- with the exception of the "Canadian Nazi Party," which got off scot-free on the quaint grounds that it did not, in fact, exist. (The fact that Richard Warman, "human rights activist" and the CHRC's serial plaintiff, is reduced to suing entirely fictional entities tells you a lot about how necessary Section 13 is to the Queen's peace)

Alas, if you do have the misfortune to exist in what passes for the real world at the CHRC, then your chances of bucking the spectacular 100% conviction rate are a lot slimmer. So Maclean's and my book will be convicted because that's the only menu option available. Section 13 and its administration are a public scandal. I hope Canadians will support Dr. Keith Martin, MP, who has introduced a private member's bill calling for its abolition...

Ivison: Free Speech not just about Nazis. Please read this whole editorial. Very illuminating.


A vous M. Kinsella.

What's this? Warren's right to Free Speech has been denied by the National Post? How utterly ironic.

Suzuki wants to jail political deniers

David Suzuki at McGill:

He urged today’s youth to speak out against politicians complicit in climate change, even suggesting they look for a legal way to throw our current political leaders in jail for ignoring science – drawing rounds of cheering and applause. Suzuki said that politicians, who never see beyond the next election, are committing a criminal act by ignoring science.

...He gave a scathing critique of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, chastising them for neglecting the environment in favour of economic growth and development of the tar sands...

Well, I suppose if we are supporting Ezra Levant and Mark Steyn in their fight for free speech, we have to allow David Suzuki the right to spout such inflammatory tripe too.

And isn't his organization supposed to be non-partisan so that it can receive public funding? Can someone please confirm that?

(Update: "...donations from individuals and by grants from other charitable foundations. The David Suzuki Foundation does not accept government grants, except in relation to the direct funding of scientific research through the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada." - FAQ)


In any case, I agree with Lorne Gunter - Shun the hate-merchants.

I'll be shunning Suzuki. No 'Nature of Things' for me, boy. I'll be shunning the advertisers too.

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More Outrage!!!

SDA - Y2Kyoto: CBC Fruit-Fly Fascist...

Five Feet of Fury - Better yet, let's just lock up David Suzuki.

Just Right - David Suzuki - Enviro-fascist

A Dog Named Kyoto - Suzuki calls to jail politicians.

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Thursday Update - By any means necessary: Terry O'Neill (Post)

Does integrity matter to the Ethics Committee?

Should Pablo Rodriguez be questioned by the Ethics Committee about alleged lies concerning questions that he asked during the recent Mulroney-Schreiber House Ethics Committee probe?

CBC has pretty much contradicted his story, and Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro wants the truth to come out. He has introduced a motion to call Mr. Rodriguez as a witness in order for him to "admit that he lied." (Hill Times via National Newswatch)

The opposition will likely vote down this motion as CTV's Graham Richardson noted last week (concerning Del Mastro's desire to have Mike Duffy appear as a witness regarding Jay Epworth's alleged conversation confirming that "yes, they did receive questions from CBC and those were the questions that Pablo Rodriguez did, in fact, ask" - H.T.)


The Hill Times article quotes NDP MP Pat Martin as not considering this to be a relevant issue:

NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times last week that "there´s no appetite from anybody other than a few other Conservatives so we won´t be dealing with that issue if I have anything to do with it."

So one would assume that the opposition feels that it is not necessary to question the integrity of of those involved in the Ethics Committee probe. Mr. Martin does however have some concerns about Roger Thibeault having dinner with Schreiber, citing it as an issue of bad optics.

He said although Mr. Thibault is "free to have dinner with whoever he wants," the public perception is not good. He said he doesn´t return Mr. Schreiber´s calls for this reason. "I think we have to remain objective and deal with testimony as presented in an unbiased way," Mr. Martin said.

So it would seem that the issue for Pat Martin is the appearance of ethics and integrity, rather than the real thing.


What a sham. No wonder Canadians are cynical about politicians.

Sorry, Charlie

Men no longer required.

Lesbians may be able to produce their own children someday without male assistance. How do you feel about that, guys?

A 'troubling' issue of trust

This one's been flying under the radar, but Chinta Puxley has brought it to the forefront - Stayed cop corruption charges 'troubling' says McGuinty.

The story involves the decision of an Ontario Superior Court judge who stayed criminal charges Thursday against six Toronto police officers because of 'unreasonable' delays caused by the Crown.

Dalton McGuinty calls the situation 'troubling', but opposition parties are clamouring for stronger leadership:

...Conservative Elizabeth Witmer said the government needs to take the time to review the decision, but the Liberals also have a responsibility to let the public know what went wrong. “I would hope that the premier is in a position to make a statement in the very near future,” she said, stopping short of calling for an inquiry. “We need to take a look at the whole system and if justice is not being done, we need to make sure that issue is addressed...

...New Democrat Peter Kormos said the stayed charges reveal a “crisis” and warrant a full public inquiry into chronic delays within the justice system....

The Toronto Star reports that lawyers allege there may have been some intentional sabotage:

"The fear I have is that members of the public will think this happened because it was the police, it (the case) was thrown out because they were police," Morton said.

"I think there has to be an accounting by the attorney-general as to why it took that long."

Former Toronto mayor John Sewell, now a member of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, said there seems to have been "an extraordinary amount of money wasted on this case."

"When you get (allegations of) serious wrongdoing by police, it's really important to look at it hard," said Sewell. Coupled with allegations of police impropriety, that's a "worrisome" combination, he said. "Maybe we need a royal commission.

Along this line, today's Sun editorial points out the hypocrisy of politicians who claim to be tough on crime, but are unwilling to deal with this "Cancer in the Justice System". Indeed.

Christie Blatchford had a piece in yesterday's Globe which is unfortunately under subscriber lock - "Police corruption case fizzles to an expensive end" - but BC Mary has very kindly parsed it for us because she feels there is a lesson to be learned regarding the Basi/Virk BC Rail case:

"...The judge frankly admitted he could 'find no explanation for the glacial progress of this prosecution' and no evidence that the prosecutors were alert to the dangers of delay and ever tried to move things along.

"Rather," he said, "the record creates an impression of compacency or perhaps a lack of awareness."

"But, continues Blatchford, "the second part of the answer is arguably found in the fact that these were no ordinary Crown attorneys from the gritty trenches of Ontario's crowded courtrooms who oversaw this screw-up, but rather those with the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Ontario AG's office, the very branch tasked specifically to handle ... the prosecution of the province's police officers charged with serious crime. In a general way, the former are the grunts of the justice system ... learning the hard way the consequences of failure.

"In the same general way, the latter are the prosecutorial intelligentsia, or perhaps the technocrats: They typically have less experience in the muck and spend much of their time in appeal courts where the consequences of losing are usually less dramatic, and less severe, than those of losing a murder trial. The unit's record in rough-and-tumble criminal court in high-profile police prosecutions is spotty at best. Certainly by Judge Nordheimer's reckoning, the trio of prosecutors headed by Milan Rupic, the director of the Special Prosecutions Unit, seemed perilously, even carelessly unaware of the importance of their disclosure obligations..."

BC Mary concludes by observing that "The Ontario corruption case gives the appearance of an intentional failure."

You know, it's bad enough when the public loses confidence in politicians - at least we have to option of tossing them out. But when we have to question how corrupt and complicit the police and court systems are on top of it all, then I begin to wonder just how "democratic" this country really is, and whether we have the right to chastise others.

In any case, whether the problem is systemic corruption or gross incompetence, the whole situation is much more than simply 'troubling'.

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Update - Star: "...Sources told the Star the government knew as early as last summer that the charges could be tossed due to unconstitutional delays..."

...NDP MPP Peter Kormos (Welland) has said the "justice system is in chaos and the McGuinty Liberals are ignoring the problem."

Monday Update: AG cool to inquiry into failed corruption cases against cops - CNEWS.

Tuesday Update: Sun - No inquiry into botched cop trial.

Post - 'Groundless' to say Crown delay deliberate: A-G

Star - Police probe possible McGuinty says.

Star - Delay in police case not deliberate: Bentley.

Tory Time is Over

Via Draftaleader, we have news that John Tory realizes he took some bad advice. He is now contrite and humble - begging for our support:

"I'll be a wiser and stronger leader for having had the experience of the 2007 election when we did lose and I did make some mistakes," Tory admitted.

The Sun Times article goes on to say that "Tory has since promised not to raise the issue again in favour of focusing on economics and core public services."

All very well and good, but the fact is that Warren Kinsella has not promised not to raise the issue again, and therein lies the problem. (edited - thanks, 'Anon')


John, the tribe has spoken. It's time for you to put out your torch and go.

Canadian Forces Appreciation Weekend

I'm not a sports fan in the slightest, but my husband just asked me to watch the opening ceremony for the Leafs-Sens game tonight. I was blown away by the soldier who sang "Oh Canada", and by the appearance of so many of our fine men and women in uniform.

This is a wonderful way to support and salute our troops. It makes me feel so proud to be a Canadian.

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Related: Via The Torch - A little glimpse into how highly Hillier is thought of - Hillier unplugged.

Keith Martin stands up to the school-yard bully

Despite desperate intimidation tactics employed by the Prince of Darkness, Liberal MP Keith Martin withstands the onslaught. This is one gutsy politician.


All we have to do is coax him to move to Ontario, join the Progressive Conservative Party, and presto! - We have our replacement for John Tory!!!

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SDA - "There is no right not to be offended".

This is priceless! From the Globe's Blogolitics - Quotes of the Week:

• Liberal spokeswoman Leslie Swartman on a Liberal MPs private member's motion: "This is not the position of the Liberal Party of Canada or the Liberal caucus or Mr. Dion," said Swartman. "We support the Canadian Human Rights Act and will not entertain changes to it such as this."

Only in Canada.



Warrenkinsella.com (I'm not linking to it) on Keith Martin (Feb. 1):

...although some of his constituents might also say they voted for a party's candidate, and not simply a solipsistic oddball who adheres to his party's platform only when it suits him. Then again, Keith Martin has been a Reformer, a Canadian Alliance candidate, an independent, and now he's allegedly a Liberal. If he decides to run under yet another party's banner in the next election, good luck to him. He'll need it.

Nice.

Having no frontal lobe, I had to google solipsistic - The jokes write themselves.

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Martin Rayner a.k.a. Red Tory is guest blogging at Scott's - Ending "Hate Speech". Not a bad post until you get near the end.

Dr. Roy links to a Gazette article that shows that MSM is finally starting to wake up.

What the Ezra Levant and Mark Steyn coverage reveals - Deborah Gyapong.

Free Speech - where's the MSM? - Just Right.

Sunday Update - Dr. Roy: Women take complaining Imam to HRC.

Monday Update - Ezra Levant: Today's Globe and Mail. Good for them!

Feb. 9 - Michael Coren: Hate Debate.

Another 'Beer & Popcorn' moment?

Scott Reid tonight on MDL:

...Is there anyone in Canada with a frontal lobe that believes this Government on the issue of detainees?

Me not know, Scott. Me cold.

Must go make fire.

M-446: Kinsella not a big fan

Warren Kinsella in an Open Letter to the Liberal Party of Canada regarding MP Keith Martin's motion (Post blog):

...Some of us were pretty surprised by Keith Martin's move, he being a Liberal Member of Parliament and all. It didn't seem to be particularly consistent with past Liberal "values" or positions. So, what say you, Messrs. Dion, Ignatieff, Rae et al.? Do you agree with this bald-faced move to gut human rights legislation, by one of your supposed human rights experts?...

(Note the use of the royal "we" further down in the article. Ahem, ahem)

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Update: This will make Warren happy! - BCLSB - Liberal Party speaks out on Keith Martin.

Lorne Gunter - The right to be loathsome.

Only non-humans are against Family Day

Dalton shrugs off business owners' concerns:

"It turns out the only people who are in favour of family day are the people," he said. "There will be at least four million Ontarians who have never enjoyed Family Fay before who will enjoy it this (Feb. 18)."

That means there will be a lot of non-humans working this Feb. 18 in Ontario.

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Sunday Update: Christina Blizzard - February's blah day:

...So, the good news for some of you is you get Feb. 18 off work. The bad news is if you're out of work, you get to spend every day at home...

Neither sleet nor snow can keep Dalton from the Beer Store

One thing you've got to say about Dalton McGuinty - he's got his priorities straight. Not even a huge snowstorm that closed local schools could deter him from celebrating the one year anniversary of the 'Bag it Back' program.

Being the adventurous sort, I decided to check it out, but was stopped at the door by an employee.

"Are you here to buy beer?"

"No, I just want to peek in the windows", I pleaded.

"Well, he's not here yet".

"O.K. No problem". I thought about saying that I was a big fan or something, but I was afraid my nose would grow longer than Dalton's.

I headed over to the corner of the building where a customer approached me.

"Isn't it open?"

"Oh yeah. It's open if you're buying beer. The Premier is coming though."

He looked somewhat blank for a moment.

Then he scowled, "Dalton? I don't care about him!! I just want my beer".

"I hear ya, buddy". I broke out in laughter. He responded with a hearty guffaw, and then resumed his primary objective.

The Premier finally arrived flanked by local MPP's and handlers. He was carrying a bag which I assume contained an empty, and quickly disappeared inside.

You may be celebrating tonight Dalton, but I take solace in knowing that there's at least one other Ontarian out there who's not overly impressed with your performance.

I'll be raising my glass to him.

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Update: Dalton thinks we're doing a 'great job'. Aaawww... Too bad he isn't.

Oops! Scratch that!! Dalton says we need to do a better job - CNEWS. Obviously we're not meeting the government's achievement goals. Perhaps we need a separate depot for certain colours of bottles?

Dalton calls The Beer Store a 'wonderful institution'.

Related - Milk Stores Gasping - Sun:

...The OCSA asked the province allow convenience stores to sell wine and beer to ensure their long-term survival.

The McGuinty government opposes the sales of alcohol in corner stores and will not say whether it will address tobacco taxes in its budget...