You can see forever? Recently, Canada's P.M. asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and announce an election this May.
No idea what it is like in other parts of the English-speaking world, but in Canada the most commonly-used word by all members of Parliament is "clear." "Let me be absolutely clear"; "I wish to make this clear"; "Clearly, it is obvious"... ad infinitum or ...ad nauseum. It is the catchphrase of any M.P. asked by the Speaker to address a member's question.
The other morning, outside the GG's Residence, it was a circus. The popular song suggests you can see forever. Each leader, staring steely-eyed into the TV cameras, can promise, very clearly, lots of goodies in the forever-after. How to pay for them is less clear.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
There are bad times just around the corner
Dear old Noel Coward, as always, got it right:
From: There are bad times just around the corner:
"While the press and the politicians nag nag nag
We'll wait until we drop down dead... That we can't save democracy and we don't much care."
In today's Globe and Mail, Gordon O'Connor, questioned about attendance records of Members of Parliament, and the possible disclosure of same to the Canadian public, said defiantly, "No."
He explained his concern for the people's representatives by saying that he was responsible for their lives, i.e.personal concerns, medical conditions and/or family matters. "I am not going to have an open debate," he declared, firmly.
On Parliament Hill...have a debate? Whatever next?
Our country seems so short on principle. If "lead by example" were a guide, we would be in trouble. Prize for worst overall House attendance was won by the Liberals. What would they do if they got into power? There is Michael Ignatieff, top of the class, with the most absences. One couldn't help wondering how he dealt with absentee students when he was in front of the class in the USA.
O'Connor also mentioned the "Honour System" as the guiding principle for all Tory MPs. Stephen Harper made second place for truancy in the whole attendance report. That was less surprising since he is the Waldo of the political world. Boy, is he hard to find! Where does he go? He of the transparency party.
If they ever do a remake of Chicago, he is a shoo-in for the role of Mr. Cellophane.
From: There are bad times just around the corner:
"While the press and the politicians nag nag nag
We'll wait until we drop down dead... That we can't save democracy and we don't much care."
In today's Globe and Mail, Gordon O'Connor, questioned about attendance records of Members of Parliament, and the possible disclosure of same to the Canadian public, said defiantly, "No."
He explained his concern for the people's representatives by saying that he was responsible for their lives, i.e.personal concerns, medical conditions and/or family matters. "I am not going to have an open debate," he declared, firmly.
On Parliament Hill...have a debate? Whatever next?
Our country seems so short on principle. If "lead by example" were a guide, we would be in trouble. Prize for worst overall House attendance was won by the Liberals. What would they do if they got into power? There is Michael Ignatieff, top of the class, with the most absences. One couldn't help wondering how he dealt with absentee students when he was in front of the class in the USA.
O'Connor also mentioned the "Honour System" as the guiding principle for all Tory MPs. Stephen Harper made second place for truancy in the whole attendance report. That was less surprising since he is the Waldo of the political world. Boy, is he hard to find! Where does he go? He of the transparency party.
If they ever do a remake of Chicago, he is a shoo-in for the role of Mr. Cellophane.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Should We All Stay Home?
Last night at 7 p.m., on CBC's Fifth Estate, the topic was police behaviour at the G20 Summit in Toronto (June 26-27, 2010). It was staggering to see how peaceful protesters were dragged, beaten, cuffed, pepper sprayed, fired on with rubber bullets, arrested, herded into cages. One older man had his prosthetic leg confiscated, his spectacles removed, and others were caged. One young university student described being stripsearched and said she had her bra confiscated because it had metal in it! Protestors, asking what the charge was, were ignored or given conflicting reasons for their detainment. Persistence was quickly dealt with by arresting the questioners. This was the biggest mass arrest in Canada's history. Unbelievable. Of the 1100 arrested, over 700 were never charged.
After recently watching so much visual input in the purportedly undemocratic nations of the Middle East, it was hard to discern any difference between the treatment meted out to those protesters and the ones at the G20 summit.
At 7:10 p.m., precisely, the Fifth Estate was interrupted, without explanation, to a LIVE broadcast of Prime Minister Stephen Harper telling viewers, in both official languages, that 230 Canadians had been rescued from Libya! When he was finished, at 7:20, he turned quickly and departed swiftly to avoid questions. Interestingly, this was his second address to the nation in three days. This from a man best known for his avoidance of the electorate and the press corps is worthy of note.
One has to wonder whether Mr. Harper had viewed the CBC programme earlier and, understandably, found any pointless way he could to interrupt it soon after it started - hoping perhaps, that viewers, seeing him, might switch to some other channel and forget to return to the Fifth Estate after he had finished. Politically, for him, the film was a nightmare. Giving the police powers of martial law, unfettered - as seen in Toronto - is a very dangerous and slippery slope.
If he had any real opposition, Stephen Harper would have been out long ago. Should you wish to take the time, go to You Should Have Stayed at Home (cbc.ca/fifth) and see for yourself. Wasting our taxpayers' money to build new prisons as crime diminishes is also an enigma. If we all "stay home" and refrain from peaceful dissent in the future, the Conservatives won't need them.
After recently watching so much visual input in the purportedly undemocratic nations of the Middle East, it was hard to discern any difference between the treatment meted out to those protesters and the ones at the G20 summit.
At 7:10 p.m., precisely, the Fifth Estate was interrupted, without explanation, to a LIVE broadcast of Prime Minister Stephen Harper telling viewers, in both official languages, that 230 Canadians had been rescued from Libya! When he was finished, at 7:20, he turned quickly and departed swiftly to avoid questions. Interestingly, this was his second address to the nation in three days. This from a man best known for his avoidance of the electorate and the press corps is worthy of note.
One has to wonder whether Mr. Harper had viewed the CBC programme earlier and, understandably, found any pointless way he could to interrupt it soon after it started - hoping perhaps, that viewers, seeing him, might switch to some other channel and forget to return to the Fifth Estate after he had finished. Politically, for him, the film was a nightmare. Giving the police powers of martial law, unfettered - as seen in Toronto - is a very dangerous and slippery slope.
If he had any real opposition, Stephen Harper would have been out long ago. Should you wish to take the time, go to You Should Have Stayed at Home (cbc.ca/fifth) and see for yourself. Wasting our taxpayers' money to build new prisons as crime diminishes is also an enigma. If we all "stay home" and refrain from peaceful dissent in the future, the Conservatives won't need them.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
All in a Day's...Make That Daze!
There are bad times just around the corner.
We can all look forward to despair.
It's as clear as crystal
From Birmingham to Bristol
That we can't save democracy
And we don't much care.
Noel Coward
Is democracy really coming of age across the Middle East? Do they really want it?
In Canada's Parliament, Bev Oda just lied, changed official documents - and got her leader's endorsement!
It's not only Lady who has gone Gaga. The Royal couple is soon visiting Canada and we are all gaga! The beautiful people will visit us soon and Stephen Harper is invited to the wedding! Whoopee! What is even better, we get to pay the bill. The PMO explained that cash is put aside every year for visiting foreign dignitaries. This man will be our king, soon. A couple of pretties like the Windsors probably don't come as cheap as Mr. and Mrs. Putin. Moreover, why do the ugly people never get on the front pages?
In this wonderful democracy, which so many throughout the world envy and protest to acquire, how do we justify lying politicians (OK, that's a stupid question) and that multiculturalism, which Pierre Trudeau introduced long ago, is no longer welcome. It's Interculturalism from now on. Put that in your agenda book!
As if that wasn't enough, Justin Bieber just said something to Rolling Stone magazine about abortion and it's on every front page in the country! I assume he has at least a PhD or, well, an MD. The ruction the kid has been subjected to is frightening however he may have a future in Stephen Harper's cabinet. Say the Conservative Minority Government 2020?
Before I go, the hope for acknowledgement of Mordecai Richler having a symbol for his great writing installed in Montreal is really not welcome...bienvenue..in Quebec.
It's cocktail hour.
We can all look forward to despair.
It's as clear as crystal
From Birmingham to Bristol
That we can't save democracy
And we don't much care.
Noel Coward
Is democracy really coming of age across the Middle East? Do they really want it?
In Canada's Parliament, Bev Oda just lied, changed official documents - and got her leader's endorsement!
It's not only Lady who has gone Gaga. The Royal couple is soon visiting Canada and we are all gaga! The beautiful people will visit us soon and Stephen Harper is invited to the wedding! Whoopee! What is even better, we get to pay the bill. The PMO explained that cash is put aside every year for visiting foreign dignitaries. This man will be our king, soon. A couple of pretties like the Windsors probably don't come as cheap as Mr. and Mrs. Putin. Moreover, why do the ugly people never get on the front pages?
In this wonderful democracy, which so many throughout the world envy and protest to acquire, how do we justify lying politicians (OK, that's a stupid question) and that multiculturalism, which Pierre Trudeau introduced long ago, is no longer welcome. It's Interculturalism from now on. Put that in your agenda book!
As if that wasn't enough, Justin Bieber just said something to Rolling Stone magazine about abortion and it's on every front page in the country! I assume he has at least a PhD or, well, an MD. The ruction the kid has been subjected to is frightening however he may have a future in Stephen Harper's cabinet. Say the Conservative Minority Government 2020?
Before I go, the hope for acknowledgement of Mordecai Richler having a symbol for his great writing installed in Montreal is really not welcome...bienvenue..in Quebec.
It's cocktail hour.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Is our world mad, mad, mad? You bet!
It's been one of those normal days! Conflict and confusion without end. Amen.
President Obama tells us we must all encourage education, especially in technology. So, today, some splendid young woman was the first to get a degree in...Biology? Wrong! Battlefields of yore? Wrong again! BS without end? Meme chose! The academic subject is The Beatles! Seems the city of Liverpool sponsored her.
The Montreal Gazette also advised me in health club etiquettte; don't spit in the water fountain, while the Middle East continues to fall apart in a hurry.
Apparently, even voters lie when phoned by pollsters, so what is their real purpose, if any? I refer to both pollsters and the polled.
Will there be an election soon? Who cares? When do our MPs work, and at what? Who knows!
They scream at each other when Parliament is in session, to impress the voters. What they do interim remains one of the great mysteries of Canada. They left for Christmas on December 16th, 2010. They start yelling again on January 31st, 2011.
Michael Ignatieff's been taking drama lessons; "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Stephen remains hidden in the washroom while Jack is searching for a hair restorer. As for Ms. May, she is totally preoccupied with finding a famous name she can contest when/if the great day comes and she meets the same fate she did when she "battled" PeterMcKay last time. That woman loves a fight. Win or lose! If she won one, she would look better.
You people have a great day and try to keep a smile on your face. I know it ain't easy. But this brought a laugh - a sign we could put on the front door of Parliament perhaps?
________________________________
OUT TO LUNCH
IF NOT BACK BY 5 P.M.
THEN OUT TO DINNER TOO
__________________________
President Obama tells us we must all encourage education, especially in technology. So, today, some splendid young woman was the first to get a degree in...Biology? Wrong! Battlefields of yore? Wrong again! BS without end? Meme chose! The academic subject is The Beatles! Seems the city of Liverpool sponsored her.
The Montreal Gazette also advised me in health club etiquettte; don't spit in the water fountain, while the Middle East continues to fall apart in a hurry.
Apparently, even voters lie when phoned by pollsters, so what is their real purpose, if any? I refer to both pollsters and the polled.
Will there be an election soon? Who cares? When do our MPs work, and at what? Who knows!
They scream at each other when Parliament is in session, to impress the voters. What they do interim remains one of the great mysteries of Canada. They left for Christmas on December 16th, 2010. They start yelling again on January 31st, 2011.
Michael Ignatieff's been taking drama lessons; "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Stephen remains hidden in the washroom while Jack is searching for a hair restorer. As for Ms. May, she is totally preoccupied with finding a famous name she can contest when/if the great day comes and she meets the same fate she did when she "battled" PeterMcKay last time. That woman loves a fight. Win or lose! If she won one, she would look better.
You people have a great day and try to keep a smile on your face. I know it ain't easy. But this brought a laugh - a sign we could put on the front door of Parliament perhaps?
________________________________
OUT TO LUNCH
IF NOT BACK BY 5 P.M.
THEN OUT TO DINNER TOO
__________________________
Monday, January 17, 2011
Does Anyone Else Wonder?
Greetings to followers of Desperate Times. This week we feature a guest blogger who poses the question: "Does anyone else wonder?"
Thank you, Don. Following the convoluted trail of our federal government, what is the average citizen to think? Does anyone else wonder why Stephen Harper's minority government vowed recently to build more prisons? Although, according to Statistics Canada, the crime rate in our country is falling. One Conservative member mused thoughtfully on a recent CBC news show, "How can we measure crime?" Not through Statistics Canada it seems, as its statistics will no longer be credible in years to come, if Harper's government has its way. The mandate of Statistics Canada was threatened by the Conservative minority government in July 2010. Their premise was that the long census form constitutes an "invasion of privacy". Really? We all know that by commanding the resources of Revenue Canada, Amazon.ca and Facebook, the knowledge of our income, charitable donations, spending habits, and social networks will be manifest to all.
Speaking of spending - the federal government has started, rather than ended the year 2011 by acting as Scrooge, urging Canadians to reduce their consumer debt. Hmm...we have to wonder...who was using taxpayers' money last summer to build a lake in Toronto for journalists from around the world? The Conservative minority government claimed this was an opportunity to promote Canada for tourism purposes. Do you know how many lakes we have? Still, we had to build one for foreign journalists. How authentic.
Of course the Harper minority government supports women - in other countries - as long as they do not wish to engage in family planning. They have also brought shame to our once-proud nation by neglecting the environment. And there is so much more - but we are running out of paper - and time. Literally.
Thank you, Don. Following the convoluted trail of our federal government, what is the average citizen to think? Does anyone else wonder why Stephen Harper's minority government vowed recently to build more prisons? Although, according to Statistics Canada, the crime rate in our country is falling. One Conservative member mused thoughtfully on a recent CBC news show, "How can we measure crime?" Not through Statistics Canada it seems, as its statistics will no longer be credible in years to come, if Harper's government has its way. The mandate of Statistics Canada was threatened by the Conservative minority government in July 2010. Their premise was that the long census form constitutes an "invasion of privacy". Really? We all know that by commanding the resources of Revenue Canada, Amazon.ca and Facebook, the knowledge of our income, charitable donations, spending habits, and social networks will be manifest to all.
Speaking of spending - the federal government has started, rather than ended the year 2011 by acting as Scrooge, urging Canadians to reduce their consumer debt. Hmm...we have to wonder...who was using taxpayers' money last summer to build a lake in Toronto for journalists from around the world? The Conservative minority government claimed this was an opportunity to promote Canada for tourism purposes. Do you know how many lakes we have? Still, we had to build one for foreign journalists. How authentic.
Of course the Harper minority government supports women - in other countries - as long as they do not wish to engage in family planning. They have also brought shame to our once-proud nation by neglecting the environment. And there is so much more - but we are running out of paper - and time. Literally.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Praise to Caesar!
Why does Canada need a Senate? What use is it to the nation? How much does it cost? Via what route do the members gain access?
The only possible answer to question one is another question: Who knows? Number two? Not much. Question three you'll have to Google but today's information is, as it relates to Raymond Lavigne, more costly than we will ever know. Finally, gaining access? Well, it all relates to the political trough. Mr Lavigne was appointed by the Liberals. They suspended him but he continued to draw pretty high expenses. So far Stephen Harper has appointed thirty-seven senators since he "won" his minority government. That power is his alone. One just has to assume that receiving a job with a minimal job requirement (attending one session a year) with a salary of $132,300 per annum demands some allegiance to the giver. While I'm sure Larry Smith is a bright and reliable man, it is hard not to see a plan in his recent appointment. No sooner was he named a Senator than he announced his intention to run for the Tories in the next election, whenever that happens. He shouldn't need to take out any personal loans during that contest, thanks to his Senate salary. Should he win, has he been offered a ministerial job? In both situations, I'm sure he will love Caesar for such kindness.
Back to Senator Lavigne, the non-sitting (since 2007) Senator who is under investigation on charges of fraud and breach of public trust, yet continues to use his "SenmasterCard" (courtesy of Canadian taxpayers) to pay his bills. e.g. September 1-November 30, 2010:
office expenses: $17,700
travel: $8,000
cost-of-living in Ottawa: $4,500
Scamming the public?
Priceless!
"There's nothing money can't buy. For everything, there's SenmasterCard."
The only possible answer to question one is another question: Who knows? Number two? Not much. Question three you'll have to Google but today's information is, as it relates to Raymond Lavigne, more costly than we will ever know. Finally, gaining access? Well, it all relates to the political trough. Mr Lavigne was appointed by the Liberals. They suspended him but he continued to draw pretty high expenses. So far Stephen Harper has appointed thirty-seven senators since he "won" his minority government. That power is his alone. One just has to assume that receiving a job with a minimal job requirement (attending one session a year) with a salary of $132,300 per annum demands some allegiance to the giver. While I'm sure Larry Smith is a bright and reliable man, it is hard not to see a plan in his recent appointment. No sooner was he named a Senator than he announced his intention to run for the Tories in the next election, whenever that happens. He shouldn't need to take out any personal loans during that contest, thanks to his Senate salary. Should he win, has he been offered a ministerial job? In both situations, I'm sure he will love Caesar for such kindness.
Back to Senator Lavigne, the non-sitting (since 2007) Senator who is under investigation on charges of fraud and breach of public trust, yet continues to use his "SenmasterCard" (courtesy of Canadian taxpayers) to pay his bills. e.g. September 1-November 30, 2010:
office expenses: $17,700
travel: $8,000
cost-of-living in Ottawa: $4,500
Scamming the public?
Priceless!
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