Paul Martin - Fear Monger Plays FEAR Card

For the better part of the campaign - if there has been a better part - our Prime Minister Paul Martin has avoided discussing the issues. His has deflected criticism, blame, and has painted his main political rivals as neo-conservatives bent on a facist-type of government. He has pulled the big FEAR card out of his deck of political manuveres hopefully for the last time.

Some fear quotes just in case Paul needs some different material...

A boss creates fear, a leader confidence. A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows all, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting. A boss is interested in himself or herself, a leader is interested in the group.
- Russell H. Ewing

Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.
- Robert Louis Stevenson

We will not walk in fear, one of another. We are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were for the moment unpopular. This is no time . . . to keep silent.
- Edward R. Murrow

Canadian 2006 General Election Rant

I'm not an cabinet minister or a special interest lobbyist. I don't drive a Lexus,
or live in Ottawa, eat caviar, or receive golf balls from former presidents.
I know my neighbours Mike, Marilyn and Shen from Calgary, and like me,
I'm certain they're all working half the year as "virtual civil servants."

I have a computer, not a multi-billion dollar long gun tracking computer system.
I wear toques, not sun visors.
And I pronounce it 'Give Libs the boot!' not 'Are there any Libs about?'

I can proudly give my full support to our armed forces.
I believe in more doctors not spin doctors; communication not
redirection and that democracy is a truly worthy governmental system.
A lie is a lie, a bribe is a bribe.
And it's pronounced `accountability' OK? Not `give-your-money-to-me.'

Canada is the best part of North America, but it could be better!
Blogging during the election rocks and parties using attack ads is a way of life.

My name is John and I am a Canadian voter.

Liberals announce a ban on the colour blue!

In addition to the previously announced ban on blogging by current PM Paul Martin, the Liberals have announced a ban on the colour blue, due to the association with the Conservative Party of Canada. A Liberal stratigist was heard to say, "Blue represents the greatest threat in our country today. There will be no provinces painted blue. The number one priority of a new Liberal government will be to immediately ban this hated colour, blue."

A spokesman from The Blue Man Group commented from The Venetian® Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, "I cannot believe the Liberals would stoop to monochromatic discrimination."

Martin announces a ban on blogging!

Current Prime Minister was quoted today, "Bloggers have been causing the Liberal party nothing but trouble. It will be the number one priority of a new Liberal government to immediately ban blogging. Neo-Conservative Star-Wars-loving crazy nut-bag bloggers will be investigated by the CRTC and brought to trial."

Notwithstanding the lack of the Notwithstanding Clause in the Liberal Red Book

The new Liberal Red Book seems to be missing the "first thing Martin's government would do if elected."
This of course is the scrapping of Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the Notwithstanding Clause.

Are the Liberals hiding something scary, or are they so desperate for the reversal of their polling fortunes that
they are willing to make drastic policy changes at the drop of a hat? Obviously, Martin and his Liberals did not have as their top priority the removal of section 33 or it would have been in the publication! It is just another case of the Liberals doing anything to stay in power.

Paul Wells take on the Liberal Soldiers Ad

Just now at the Subway on Bank St. I was buying my lunch and there... in line... standing in front of me... was a soldier.

In our cities.

In Canada.

A soldier.

He seemed to be ordering the six-inch ham and turkey.

With chipotle sauce.

In Canada.

We're not making this stuff up.

from: http://weblogs.macleans.ca/paulwells/

A Soldier Responds to Liberal Ads

On Rutherford today (AM-QR770 - Calgary), Dave Rutherford read a letter from a member of the PPCLI in regards to the Liberal attack ad that involved increasing the Canadian military presense in our cities. I could feel the raw emotion of this soldier and agree with his points viamently. The text will speak for itself.

Thanks to Stephanie Levitz, Producer of the Rutherford Show, for providing the text below.

I just saw a Liberal attack ad against the Conservatives on CTVs’ Mike Duffy today. I don’t know if its’ going to be released for mass viewing or if its already out there, but I feel that I had to say something because I am LIVID with RAGE! Now normally I wouldn’t care what a Liberal says because they can’t be trusted or believed about as far as you can throw the entire Liberal Party. But this ad doesn’t just attack the Conservatives, it attacks me and others like me! First of all the ad states that a Conservative Stephen Harper wants to locate soldiers in or near large population centres, ie cities. Then the ad goes on to say…. “soldiers, with GUNS, in OUR cities….. we’re not making this up!” This somehow insinuates that the Canadian Forces are armed thugs?!?!? This is where I went ballistic… I AM a Canadian soldier, living IN a large population centre ie Edmonton, and I cannot believe the audacity of the Liberals who are suggesting that I am going to be somehow a “THREAT!” to that very city I live in with my own family!?!? First of all, who are these people to confuse me for a threat, when I have VOLUNTEERED to serve my COUNRTY! To DEFEND the people and ideas of this nation, with ultimate liability, that namely being that I love my country so much I would give my LIFE for it! I have served on three overseas' missions (ordered by the Liberal government) sacrificing time away from friends and family to serve in dangerous war zones at the behest of the PEOPLE OF CANADA in support for OUR ideas of PEACE and FREEDOM for everyone! Then, to have these same Liberals insinuate that I and all other military people like me, would be a threat to the very society and cities that we live in and have chosen to defend! It boggles my mind!!! I think of all the soldiers that have been killed in the last twelve years from serving this country under a Liberal government, the under funding, always undermanned with crappy equipment that always comes too little too late, always more being asked of us, and on top of it all, we have a desperate and increasingly hysterical Liberal Party now attacking the very people that they should be getting down in their knees and begging for forgiveness! An apology to all miliatry members past and currently serving I think is what is called for right now from them! I know that this will not happen, because in the Liberals eyes, they can do no wrong (even when caught!) and they don’t need to apologize because they are the only party with so called “Canadian” values. Well, they can just kiss good-bye another 50000 votes and Anne McLellans’ riding, because it was her that got all of us moved from Calgary to Edmonton in the first place! I will now do my very best to see that the Liberal Party is wiped from existence for the utter contempt and arrogance that they have demonstrated!

Liberal Ad "Pulled"

It is interesting that the Liberals have pulled the ad mentioned in the below post.
Free air play occurred on practically every newscast in the country!
This ad was deliberately given to the media to get the benefits, but none of the consequences or cost!

Liberal Scary Attack Ads

(image from www.liberal.ca)
It was only a matter of time - the Liberals have released their first scary attack ads of the 2006 campaign depicting Stephen Harper as perhaps one step away from the AntiChrist. It is interesting that CTV Newsnet has aired these television advertisements on tonight's newscast only to have some of the more scathing ads pulled by the Libs. One portrayed Harper as a militaristic soon-to-be dictator who would increase the Canadian military presence in cities. It emphasized the fact that soldiers would be in our cities WITH GUNS! Imagine our Canadian troops visible in our cities WITH GUNS! I can see why this ad was pulled, since the gangs would probably be able to outgun our poorly equipped army.

I sincerely hope that the Canadian electorate will see through these blatantly negative scary ads. I believe that the public has had enough of the "natural governing party of Canada" and will dismiss this last-ditch attempt to scare people into voting for Martin and his Liberals. From what I have been able to discern, is that people are listening to Stephen Harper's ideas for the country, not his liberal imposed scary death mask.

Martin Parliamentary Employment Equity?

In last night's "debate" Martin seemed to indicate
that the Liberal party would institute an employment
equity policy in parliament. While I agree that
the percentage of women in politics is much less than
50% of the total number, this fact should not be used
to create new requirements for public office.
The next phase would then have to include every and all minorities. Employment
equity is NOT a solution to get minorities and women into politics. People with
drive, vision, and guts - money doesn't hurt either - is needed for a good
candidate. Gender, race, and religion should not enter into the equation.
Image from CTV.

Leaders Debate 2006

Clearly the winner of the debate was the "moderator" relative unknown from OntarioTV - Steve Paikin.
Image from CTV

Paul Martin's Vision

Paul Martin was quoted after the historic vote in the house of Commons talking at a special caucus meeting, "This was not just about a budget. It was about a vision of Canada. It was about a perspective on the nation."

Paul Martin's vision is very short-sighted. I do not think that he can even see the BIG E!

On his last comment, he is correct. Our nation is broken and needs to be fixed.
We need a country with more independent provinces, more like the Switzerland cantons.
Failing that, there is no alternative either than the Alberta and/or Western Canada Republic

Just in Case Albertans are Interested

http://www.separationalberta.com/

153-152

The Liberals have survived a confidence vote by a squeaker today (as predicted by seismicdeath Tuesday, May 17, 2005). One vote by the speaker saved the government to survive until a further confidence vote. 153 to 152. It is too bad that it did not go into sudden death!

If Belinda had not been turned to the dark side, the Liberal Empire would have fallen. A truly dark day in the history of Canadian politics.

NBA MVP Nash

What more can be said about the Sensational Steve Nash?
His first ever triple double in the playoffs - 34 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists!
Go Phoenix Go!

Saturation News Networks

Tim Russett of NBC's "Meet the Press" was a guest on CNN's Larry King last night discussing general media issues. The main thrust of the conversation was the "Newsweek" Koran article fiasco, but he did entertain questions from callers as well. One caller made a comment regarding the cable news channels almost blinder-like focus on certain stories, foregoing the investigation of "real news". Mr. Russett agreed with the caller saying that major networks tend to saturate the airwaves with coverage of only one or two stories. I tend to agree as well.

More than one cable news channel is involved in the Saturation News Network. It seems that the major players - including CNN, MSNBC, and FOXNews - are in a continuous melee to track the popular story. Currently, that two dominating stories are the Michael Jackson trial and the Senate filibuster.

This different type of media bias recently had me thinking about the difference between real news and popular news. April 08, 2005 saw two terrorist attacks in Egypt that targeted tourists. It was of special interest to me, as I was planning a trip there this summer. I only had access to the U.S. cable news channels here in Oklahoma City, so I continually switched between the networks mentioned above. It turned out to be an exercise in frustration as the story of the moment was the "Run-away Bride" - Jennifer Wilbanks. Useless news from hell! I yelled at the television "Come on! Show some real news!" The same people were interviewed by different reporters, asking the same questions! It was so pathetic I felt like wrapping an ugly coloured towel around my head to hide! This continued for about twenty or thirty minutes with just the tickers providing semi-real news. Finally, one of the stations cut for some other news. It took all of two minutes, before returning to the crazy-eyed fiancée. AAgggggghhhhh!!!!

This type of media focus is not restricted to the cable news of the United States. It is apparent in Canadian news programs, local news, and even radio news. Part of the problem is the commercialization of news, with many stations buying their information from the same sources instead of doing investigations themselves. Maybe it is just my problem as I like to be informed about more than just one issue. Personally, I do not care what Macaulay Culkin had to say on the stand, just give me the results at the conclusion of the trial. Then again, perhaps there are just too many slow news days......

And now for something completely different

I guess I have been concentrating my posts on Canadian politics a little too much. My brother says that I sound like a frustrated angry individual. I guess that is true, when I write the posts. I just find it hard to believe the antics, scandals, corruption, and....ooops there I go again.

On another note:
GO PHOENIX SUNS!!!
Steve Nash has shown he is truly an MVP. Now he just needs a little bit of support.
It is a best out of three now - series tied 2-2.

Suns in Seven!

Political Whore

Belinda Stronach has proven her political aspirations are just visions of personal leadership and not beliefs and conviction. Her defection today - May 17 - to the federal Liberals is akin to political prostitution. She would rather associate with schemers, liars, and crooks than be on the outside of government and decision-making power. I am flabbergasted, astounded, and disgusted at this action by Ms. Stronach. I am sure that her beau will be following her to the Big Red Machine soon enough.

I predict the government will not fall. Enough Maritime Conservative MPs have been pressured by the linkage of the Maritime Accords to the confidence-vote budget to add at least two or three votes for the government. Add Stronach, independent Kilgour (after getting his ill-prepared and ill-equipped troops into Darfur, Sudan), and the whole NDP caucus to the voting mix and the budget will pass with flying colours.

I do not know what the Liberals have to do to lose the confidence of the electorate. There has already been scandal after scandal, political interference, dirty money, and more third-world type controversies. I feel like banging my head against the Welcome to Ontario signs!

Canadian Absentee

As a Canadian Calgarian temporarily working in the United States, it is difficult to get information about the so-called crisis of the Canadian government. I am lucky enough to have internet access to online newspapers like the Calgary Sun. That said, I am dismayed at polls showing that many people do not want an election at this time. What would be a better time? Maybe the government could mail out questionnaires to every potential voter to find a consensus date to fit our busy schedules? When I heard of the possibility of a spring election, I was worried that it would be difficult to cast an absentee vote out of country - I was not concerned that we just had a federal election.

In a democracy, it is the duty of the opposition to hold the ruling party accountable. So it seems that Stephen Harper's Conservatives and even Gilles Duceppe's Bloc are doing their jobs! Clearly, the ruling minority-Liberals have lost touch with Canadians and do not hold a majority in the House.

In addition, it is the DUTY of the electorate to be informed and VOTE! It does not matter what the polls say, if only 30% of the electorate actually take the time to mark their ballot! Canadians have taken their freedom and democracy for granted. Perhaps we should rename Canada to the Democratic People's Republic of Canada? Winston Churchill may have said it best, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others." Get informed and get up off the
couch and VOTE when the election happens!

PM Address

So, PM Paul Martin is to address the nation today for 12 minutes. I wonder if his address in both official languages will say the same thing??

It is a crisis for the country! The Liberal Party is behind in the polls, Parliament is locked in meaningless bickering about past wrong-doings by a a small group from the previous Federal administration, and dogs and cats are sleeping together!!!
Its the END OF THE WORLD!!! The HORSEMEN COMETH!!!!
Give me a break....

Martin is rolling the dice to convince Canadians that:
a. No-one wants an election now.
b. "So a few million dollars might have been stolen...."
c. There is no Liberal hidden agenda.
d. If the government falls, all the good that the Liberals have accomplished with be for nought.
e. Martin suffers from the Sgt. Schultz Syndrome

I predict a roll of SNAKE-EYES!