mushroom

Waiting for a Great Leap Forward

2009-07-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

I have not been blogging recently to due problems with web access. Since I am back in Canada for the next two months, I will be a bit more active on blogosphere (not that much). However, this post deserves some consideration. The link is posted below for you to consider

http://youngpeopleforchange.blogspot.com/2009/07/greens-and-ndp-co-operating-ndp.html

Thanks to Marc for bringing this matter to consideration.

NDPers in Vancouver Island getting angry at Toronto Jack for NOT paying attention to social issues and letting Harper's neo-cons run the country. They are so desperate that they want to make an electoral pact with Lizzie May so the Dippers can win extra seats in BC.

I am one who believes that the key to defeat Harper is through British Columbia. The failure in dealing with softwood lumber issues, the stresses of international trade agreements on rural communities, the rampant poverty in rural Canada, and desperation of native communities are key issues that the Opposition parties need to put into focus. Unfortunately, I don't have the confidence in the federal Liberals to address these issues. When have they been competitive there? Thus the New Democrats are naturally the key beneficiaries to any opposition to Harper in rural BC. While this letter is well meaning, it also shows the unhappiness that some members are expressing towards Layton's leadership.

I am willing to admit that co-operating with Lizzie May is a non-issue. I would prefer the Greens to be more market hostile, support economic nationalism, and focus more on the anti-globalization sentiments bubbling in Canada. But there is not a better time to express these sentiments than now. The sooner a politician in Canada's left expresses this message, the earlier we see an ideological challenge to Harper's neo-conservative political instincts.

Until then my hat is off to the authors of this letter. I also cross my fingers in the hope that Libby Davies can be the next leader of the federal New Democrats.

Jason Kenney warns of gangland civil war in the Lower Mainland

2009-04-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

It looks like the gloves are off. The Harper Cons will make immigration the key issue in the next Federal election.

____________________________________________________________________

Conservative Minister Frets as Muslim Population Swells in Canada Amid Little Integration

SURREY, BC — A clash of civilizations may be taking place on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, but it's also happening a lot more quietly in Canadian cities.

Canada's population is dwindling even as immigration and high birth rates among Muslim groups are swelling in cities all over the country, a Conservative minister claim in an interview with FOX News he did while visiting Surrey.
Jason Kenney, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, predicts there will eventually be a kind of civil war when the longtime residents of Surrey — a suburb of Vancouver and recently plagued by gang shootings — realize their city is about to be taken over by Muslim immigrants.
Although there is no official statistics on how many Muslims live in the Lower Mainland, it is believed they take up about 25 percent of the area’s 1 million urban residents. Kenney, who seeks to replace embattled Prime Minister Stephen Harper and has called Islamophobia a "duty," claims three of the wards in Surrey now have Muslim majorities.
"In those neighbourhoods it's not our government that's in power," he said, "but the Muslim authorities — the mosques, the imams — who are in charge."
FOX News visited one of those neighbourhoods, which looks more like Pakistan than a Vancouver suburb.
For some Canadian politicians, that's not a problem. The MP for New Westminister-Coquitlam, Dawn Black of the New Democratic Party, has worked hard to help Muslims try to integrate over the past decade and a half she has been involved in politics.
Black believes multiculturalism is a good thing. She says even those who disagree with her should get used to life as it is in Canada today: "Be realistic. They're here. They're relatively numerous and they're growing."
Many Pakistanis have been in Canada for decades and are now citizens, as are their children. The imam of one of the main mosques, which thousands of young Lower Mainland Muslims attend each Friday, stressed that Muslim immigrants have starting blending in around Vancouver.

During FOX News' brief visit, there were no fiery demonstrations of the kind that have wracked the Netherlands, though the municipality is sometimes considered dangerous to traverse at night due to gang shootings.
Yet Kenney remains disconcerting. The RCMP provided three plainclothes officers to watch over a FOX News team interview Kenney one Saturday morning in Surrey at the Minister’s request. When FOX News returned in the afternoon as more people were out and about, Kenney said to the reporters that it would be safer not to get out of his ministerial limo. It wasn't even dark yet.
Part of that fear stems from particularly gangland shootings, something that can happen in bad neighbourhoods in any big city. But part of it is due to strong anti-Muslim sentiment among the social conservatives within Prime Minister Harper’s Conservative government, who have been suggesting vocally that true integration is still a long way off.
Black, of the New Democratic Party, dismisses Kenney’s sentiments and blames the problems on a tiny number of very violent youths who are condemned by everyone, including the Muslim community.
But for Kenney, integration simply isn't working. He claims the great majority of the Muslim youths in Surrey don't want it to work. So instead of being a melting pot, Surrey has become a suburban ghetto that does everything possible to appease Islam, he claims.
"Halal food is served in the schools, not only for Muslim children, but for all the children," said Kenney, adding that municipal pools in the Lower Mainland now have separate hours for men and women to swim.
Kenney, once a former MP from the far right Canadian Alliance Party, is now considered a leading candidate to replace Prime Minister Harper, whose government is being kept alive with the support of the second largest Liberal Party in the House of Commons.Though the immigration debate has not yet reached the fever pitch it has in the U.S. and Western Europe, a real test will come when a major Canadian suburb has a Muslim majority. The first could be Mississauga, outside of Toronto, or Abbotsford, also in the Lower Mainland. Surrey, a multi-ethnic community, will become a political battleground in the next election between Harper’s increasingly rabid so-cons and the New Democrats led by Party Leader Jack Layton.

Closing shop ... for now

2008-08-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

My plane leaves for the Far East on September 1. I am taking an academic post there and will only be in Canada for the summer. Thus I will be away from any major involvement in Canadian politics and blogging.

Thus I will be closing shop for now. May come back later to poke my nose and interfere with the BC-STV referendum, if I have the time.

This is not the first time I have taken leave in involvement in partisan politics. I left partisan politics about fourteen years ago to go to the UK to pursue grad studies. My return focus on academic life encourages me to concentrate on the study of politics in a non-partisan and more intellectual manner. For those who don't know me well enough, my research is on International Political Economy with a focus on post-Fordism.

Take care, whoever may be reading this blog.

"Jack Layton is no Tommy Douglas"

2008-08-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

The best line at the Town Hall meeting in Toronto-Danforth in which former CCF politician Reid Scott received his Liberal membership card.

Aaron Wherry has a summary of the meeting in his blogpost here http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/08/22/btc-morning-in-toronto/. All in all, a solid performance for Dion in front of a partisan anti-NDP crowd.

Dion in Toronto-Danforth

2008-08-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Something that made it into my inbox a few days ago.

____________________________________________________________________

On Friday, August 22, the Hon. Stephane Dion will visit Toronto-Danforth for a Town Hall meeting, during which he will join our candidate Andrew Lang to outline and take questions on the Green Shift.

This event is taking place at Cinespace Film Studios, 30 Booth Avenue (closest intersection Logan Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd E.) at 8:00 a.m.
This is an extremely important opportunity for Toronto-Danforth to demonstrate our support of Mr. Dion, the Green Shift and the Liberal Party of Canada. We expect great media turnout - let's send a powerful message about the strength of the Liberal brand in this riding.
Please confirm your attendance either by return email (info@andrewlang.ca) or by phone (416-926-0367).

UPDATE: STÉPHANE DION VISITS DON VALLEY WEST THURSDAY AUGUST 21

Event: Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion visits the Don Valley West campaign office.

Date: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Don Valley West Campaign Office
33 Laird Avenue (at Millwood)
Toronto, Ontario

This is on top of the event in the evening at the Toronto Islands for present and prospective donors of the Victory Fund. Dion will be heading to Guelph after the meeting the Town Hall meeting at the Cinespace.

Stephen Harper fails to defend New Europe

2008-08-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

It took almost one week but the Prime Minister has finally said his piece on the Russian-Georgia conflict http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hzJzKe2jd4cuZcMF3eh5Q0UtkXIA

"I must tell you that I am deeply troubled by a notion I see developing in Russia and that is a notion that Russia somehow has a say or some control over countries outside of its borders.
In my judgement, this is a very worrisome development. It really indicates a Soviet-era mentality[.] And I think it is something that all democratic countries should speak out strongly against and I hope Russia will reconsider its actions.
"Obviously we've called on both sides to cease the fighting and I gather a ceasefire now appears to be taking hold, but we do call on Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia."

Canada announced on Tuesday it would send about one million dollars in aid to the people affected by the conflict which has displaced around 100,000 people http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/government-canada-assist-victims-conflicts/story.aspx?guid=%7B9AB30D50-BB96-46D8-B838-FB49FDF3B625%7D&dist=hppr.

"The Government of Canada is deeply concerned for the welfare of those affected by the violence in South Ossetia," said International Development Minister Bev Oda. "In response to an emergency appeal by the Red Cross, Canada will contribute to international efforts to alleviate the suffering of those on the ground, by providing basic needs such as safe water supplies and emergency medical care."

One million dollars of aid through the Canadian Red Cross. If Stephen Harper's Conservative government is promising a more robust foreign policy than the Liberals, should he be sending a C-17 to Georgia earlier this week?

I am sorry, Prime Minister. This is not leadership in my book. Feeling deeply troubled and worrisome are expressions of not being able to influence a conflict in which Canada has a role to contribute through an international organization such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). At the same time, I hope you are happy that your ideological colleague Nicolas Sarkozy and Bernhard Kouchner are earning respect by persuading Russian Prime Minister Medvedev from pursuing genocide and being the first to provide the humanitarian aid to displace Georgians. This is paralysis similar to the feeling that US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates felt when he recognized that American military power is no longer effective in solving this conflict http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jL9wYVueTaVMFFQY-sIaTnWXnfXw.

The US is no longer trusted as an honest broker in European conflicts. Canada just seeks not to offend.

Compare Harper's words to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt's immediate condemnation of Russia's invasion to Georgia and you see how far the Prime Minister has to go to demonstrate global leadership on this issue

"No state has the right to intervene militarily in the territory of another state simply because there are individuals there with a passport issued by that state or who are nationals of the state. Attempts to apply such a doctrine have plunged Europe into war in the past... And we have reason to remember how Hitler used this very doctrine little more than half a century ago to undermine and attack substantial parts of central Europe."

A similar tone expressed by the likes of neoconservative commentator Robert Kagan and Obama supporter Zbig Brzezinski http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/12/georgia.

So yes, Harper fell asleep when it would have been politically prudent for him to attack Russia's actions to Hitler's annexation of the Sudetenland. I am also disappointed that neither Stephane Dion, Michael Ignatieff, and Bob Rae have criticized Harper's government for its slow reaction to this conflict.

Which Canadian leader do you trust to defend New Europe? Please convince me.

Weekend trip blogging

2008-08-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

For those who know me, I lived in the UK for eight years before returning to the east end of Toronto and start my blog. There I was influenced by this sound from Bristol, England and where the linkage to my blog name originated. I will provide you a sample of Trip Hop with this post. It was what attracted me to the UK a decade ago. The cosmopolitan sound, the willingness to be political in their message. Where whites can listen to reggae and Afro-Caribbeans to punk. They have a common enemy whether it is the neo-cons, Tony Blair, sus laws, and the capitalist class etc.

Take a listen. This is Smith and Mighty, one of the lesser known Trip Hop collective (I like this word) from Bristol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf95NhUfI7k

Support a school for Attawapiskat

2008-08-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

H/T to Cam at Peterborough Politics http://cameronholmstrom.blogspot.com/2008/08/shining-light-on-attawapiskat.html. Something needs to be done fast to end the plight of aboriginal poverty and might as well start here.

http://www.attawapiskat-school.com/Home.html

UPDATE: The blogburst at Progressive Bloggers has been tremendous. Keep up the effort.

Has Obama has lost his so-called authenticity?

2008-08-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

This is my response to Steve V's recent blogpost http://farnwide.blogspot.com/2008/08/changesame-old-same-old.html. I will respond here because this requires a definition of what makes an authentic politician or individual.

For me his authenticity is still present, because he is trying to be something he is not supposed to be. For a kid who grew up in a white family, his perception of being black comes from watching Diff'rent Strokes, The Cosby Show, and the LA Lakers. He developed his black persona through his community work in Chicago, marriage to Michelle, and becoming a Christian. The adoption of the Obama persona is not fake, it is real. Voters accept the ongoing process, realizing that the end result will not be optimal or perfect. Just as Stephane Dion's take on the carbon tax and possible evolution from nerdy academic to Prime Minister.

Being President means getting 50 to 60 votes in the Senate to pass your agenda through. You have to make compromises. In foreign policy, where the US President uses the bully pulpit to his advantage, it is much better to have a work in progress than the false confidence of a George W. Bush and a Stephen Harper. This is what we buy Obama for, the authentic attempt to bring forth social change against the repressive status quo. Whether or not he becomes the next American President, this is why Obama's message for change remains captivating.

My progressive braveheart is fluttering

2008-07-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

The results for the Glasgow East by-election is an earthquake of enormous proportions. Even with the higher by-election turnout and the good efforts by the SNP workers to get out the vote, there is this feeling that this by-election will pave the way for a more progressive form of politics in Scotland. But everything that went right for the SNP, did occur http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7524550.stm.

SNP candidate John Mason has won the Glasgow East by-election with a 22.54% swing from Labour.

John Mason, SNP - 11,277
Margaret Curran, Labour - 10,912
Davena Rankin, Conservative - 1,639
Ian Robertson, Lib Dem - 915
Frances Curran, Scottish Socialist Party - 555
Tricia McLeish, Solidarity - 512
Dr Eileen Duke, Scottish Greens - 232
Chris Creighton, Independent - 67
Hamish Howitt, Freedom 4 Choice - 65
Turnout 42.25%

Rob Nicholson, meet Margaret Curran

2008-07-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

The Labour candidate in the Glasgow East by-election is Margaret Curran. One look at her bio and she fits into the New Labour politician mold. Her story represented working class heroism. Born to a Glasgow working class family from Ireland, she went to the local primary and secondary schools. Then she won a place to Glasgow University and became involved in the student Labour party there. After graduating, she worked as a welfare rights officer and a local authority community worker. Eventually she became a lecturer in community education at the University of Strathclyde before being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

However, there is something sinister about this working class heroism. When Curran was appointed Minister for Social Justice in 2003, she became responsible for poverty, regeneration, and the voluntary sector in Scotland. For Curran, she began to put forth a paper called "Putting Communities First". In this paper, she would put forth proposals that called for attacking anti-social behaviour. It included:

-Electronic tagging to ensure that children aged 12-16 conform to curfews and exclusion from certain areas
- Antisocial behaviour orders and acceptable behaviour contracts for young people under 16
- Powers for police to disperse groups of three or more persons
- Fixed penalties for minor vandalism and graffiti
- Parenting orders to ensure that parents control their children’s behaviour with the possibility of prison if they do not comply

The link to this proposal is listed here http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2003/07/28/41550/curran-leads-attack-on-antisocial-behaviour.html

So New Labour has spent the last decade proposing policies that came straight out of the Flaherty-Baird school of social inclusion. No wonder why the Prime Minister met with Gordon Brown while paying little attention to his ideological soulmate David Cameron when he was last in London. After eighteen years of Thatcherite policies and we get a New Labour government that believes in shaming young offenders and locking up the single parents of truants as a last resort. If I am Rob Nicholson, I would jump onto a plane to Glasgow and plant this lady a big fat kiss.

On the Canadian side of things, the Cons will try to bring forth changes to the Youth Criminal Justice Act after the summer recess. This legislation may serve as the perfect bill to allow the Cons to be defeated on their own terms http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/343675. While the Liberal justice critics (Dominic Leblanc and Marlene Jennings) are rightly focusing on In and Out and the Cadman affair, they should also need to become more vocal on opposing the Conservatives C-25. As the example of New Labour demonstrates, what is even worse than Thatcherites putting on draconian measures for political pandering, is moralistic politicians that believe they can regulate the behaviour of others.

One final note about Margaret Curran. This is a video of her victory speech in the Scottish Parliament in last year's election. She went on an attack against the Scottish Nationalist Party in the John Baird mode. The link is below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHbGCR6lutY

If Curran wins in Glasgow East, Gordon Brown will possibly fast track her ascension in Westminister and may appoint her to the post of Scottish Secretary very soon. Please defeat this closet Thatcherite.

Things can only get better - and that was a decade ago

2008-07-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

More links from youtube with regards to the Glasgow East by-election
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnv8y69l_bU&feature=related

A personal view from a former Labour supporter. O how the mighty have fallen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OARvE4ZzMCY&NR=1

Why progressives should support the SNP in Glasgow East next week

2008-07-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

From this week's Bagehot column of The Economist http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11750458:

"THE east ends of Britain’s big cities have a special, mythical place in the national imagination. They are urban frontiers: gritty, sometimes lawless and eventful. History—trade unionism; radicalism; the temperance movement; industrial revolution; immigrant strife and striving—is packed into them as tightly as their inhabitants are, or, in the case of Glasgow, were. In Glasgow’s ruined east end, whole roads are vacant and vandalised; grotty pubs and discount stores dominate the grey high streets."

As an East End boy growing up in Toronto, these communities were places where I had my politics upbringing. My parents were NDP supporters. The politicians we supported in the past were Bob Rae (when he was a social democrat) and David Warner. Other notable politicians that crossed our paths include Lynn McDonald, Jack Layton, Michael Prue, Marilyn Churley, and Peter Tabuns. The quote above holds true for many Canadian cities. Libby Davies, Svend Robinson, and Bill Blaikie were east end politicians in both Vancouver and Winnipeg that represented this gritty political ethic that many voters expected from NDP politicians. I will not tip my hat to the Ontario NDP leadership race as of yet. But this Canadian parallel should be considered in another major test to Gordon Brown's leadership next week.

Glasgow East is the riding of legends. Easterhouse and Parkhead. In these two places, two teams matter: Labour and Celtic. Gordon Brown wrote his doctoral thesis on one of the great Labour thinkers of the Clyde: James Maxton. Now, Brown is fighting for his political life: an Uncle Tom whose New Labour policies have betrayed the values of Glasgow's east end. The latest polls show the Scottish Nationalist Party leading by four per cent in Scotland, with an excellent chance to win one third of the seats north of Hadrian's Wall http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jul/11/glasgoweast.byelections1. Labour's lead in Glasgow East has been cut to 14 (47-33) over the SNP. This was a riding that New Labour won in 2005 with over 60 per cent of the popular vote http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_East_by-election,_2008.

The SNP has traditionally done well in by-elections, particularly the Govan by-election in 1988. But there is now a sense of political renewal. The SNP are now the governing party in Scottish parliament and young voters are abandoning the New Labour experience for a revamped party that promised things that their parents were offered as part of the postwar settlement. Free prescription charges and free university tuition. These things are only available north of the Border now due to the Scottish Parliament. Migrating to London to work in The City after getting your degree in St. Andrews? There are many opportunities available now. New York, Brussels, Paris, Toronto, and Silicon Valley. A Scottish renaissance has happened. This does not mean the SNP will win a referendum for independence if it will be held tomorrow. But thanks to New Labour policies, the cornerstone of what the party has built in the past to foster the culture of Britishness are being eroded.

So the SNP has a fighting chance. Over the next week leading to the election, I will be posting stuff in my blog reporting the SNP effort to win Glasgow East. As a progressive, I believe that a SNP victory will put a further dent into the fraud of what was New Labour. It may even send a message to Stephane Dion that he will need to distance himself further from the misguided policies of Chretien and Martin.

I don't normally dedicate this blogpost to someone, but there is one blogger who I am thinking about while posting. I am not sure if you are aware, but fellow progressive blogger Dr. Dawg happens to be a leading scholar of Hugh MacDiarmid. MacDiarmid was a leading founder of the Scottish Nationalist Party. I will definitely tip a dram to the Dawg next Thursday if the SNP wins.

Note also that I have been provided with a few links through blogosphere that I would like to share
http://snptacticalvoting.blogspot.com/
http://adamsmithwasasocialist.blogspot.com/
http://www.tartanhero.blogspot.com/

Soccer's Greatest Rivalries

2008-07-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

Since this is the summer, I will post another soccer post. This list is fun to consider

From World Soccer, 50 Greatest Soccer Rivalries. The link is below, although you will have to purchase and/or subscribe to the mag in order to get your own copy
http://www.worldsoccer.com/magazine/

50: Gremio vs. Internacional
49: Tenrife vs. Las Palmas
48: Mohun Bagan vs. East Bengal
47: Sarajevo vs. Zeljeznicar
46: ASEC Abidjan vs. Africa Sports
45: Anderlecht vs. Club Brugge
44: FC Copenhagen vs. Brondby
43: Alianza Lima vs. Universitario
42: Arsenal vs. Tottenham
41: Beitar Jerusalem vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv
40: Hajduk Split vs. Dinamo Zagreb
39: Barcelona vs. Emelec
38: Rapid Wien vs. Austria Wien
37: Basle vs. Zurich
36: Raja Casablanca vs. Wydad Casablanca
35: America vs. Deportivo Cali
34: Genoa vs. Sampdoria
33: CSKA Sofia vs. Levski Sofia
32: AIK Stockhold vs. Djurgardens
31: Ferencvaros vs. Ujpest
30: Cerro Porteno vs. Olimpia
29: Rosario Central vs. Newell's Old Boys
28: Liverpool vs. Manchester United
27: Corinthians vs. Santos
26: Slavia Prague vs. Sparta Prague
25: Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates
24: Steaua Bucharest vs. Dinamo Bucharest
23: Spartak Moscow vs. CSKA Moscow
22: Pirouzi vs. Esteghlal
21: Nacional vs. Penarol
20: America vs. Guadalajara
19: Racing Club vs. Independiente
18: Corinthians vs. Sao Paulo
17: Benfica vs. Porto
16: Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad
15: Milan vs. Internazionale
14: Olympiakos vs. Panathinaikos
13: Flamengo vs. Vasco da Gama
12: Juventus vs. Fiorentina
11: Marseille vs. Paris Saint-Germain
10: Partizan Belgrade vs. Red Star Belgrade
9: Betis vs. Sevilla
8: Al Ahly vs. Zamalek
7: Schalke vs. Borussia Dortmund
6: Lazio vs. Roma
5: Ajax vs. Feyenoord
4: Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce
3: Celtic vs. Rangers
2: Boca Juniors vs. River Plate
1: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

Missing from list: Liverpool v. Everton. The Merseyside Derby deserves mention despite the fact that both have yet to win a Premier League title. Maccabi Tel Aviv against either Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem would be a comparable rivalry in Israel.

Soccer's hardest men

2008-07-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

This was something that was found on the Times Online. As usual quite UK-centric. Still a bit of fun. The link is below
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2215721.ece

Missing from the list. Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane, and Eric Cantona for France. In Germany Jurgen Kohler, Toni Schumacher, Bernd Forster, and Horst Hrubesch were the cornerstone to the great national teams of the 80s and 90s. Then there are the big, mean Scandinavians such as Stig Tofting and Gravesen who coaches employ to hurt and not for their ball skills. In South America you have Edmundo, Diego Simeone, and Roberto Ayala.

In recent times, both Pablo Alfaro and Javier Navarro were hard nosed defenders who led Sevilla to European prominence. Given the stricter clampdown on hard fouls in recent times, the hardest player nowadays is Ricardo Carvalho, who is most comparable to Paulo Montero in being more provocative and sneeky than hurting an opponent with hard tackles and fouls.

Northwestern_lad becomes a groom

2008-07-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

I think that it is fair and I am also very delighted to wish progressive blogger and Northwestern Ontario local hero Cam Holmstrom many cross partisan best wishes on his impending marriage next week to his lovely fiance Allison. The wedding will take place next weekend in Kenora. Happy trails (both politically and spiritually) to them both.

Lynn McDonald calls out Jack Layton

2008-07-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have not commented on Stephane Dion's green shift since I was away on holidays during the launch. As a result, I stayed on the sideline, with the odd comment thrown here and there in various progressive blogs. However, a recent op-ed in the Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/456822 has made me come forward and express my views on the carbon tax. My initial reaction is that it is good on Lynn McDonald to call out Jack Layton on rejecting the carbon tax and opting for a cap and trade instead.

Before the Grit bloggers jump up and down for joy over this op-ed, note that Dr. McDonald has not endorsed Dion's green shift. It is a way forward and she deserves accolades for coming out in favour of the carbon tax before Dion became convinced of the benefits after Jack Mintz and Nancy Olewiler proposed major income tax cuts to complement it. McDonald has offered a rationale for a carbon tax through the Just Earth coalition for social justice and she has encouraged many to sign the petition demanding a carbon tax be implemented. The petition is here and it would be useful if the progressive bloggers come forth and send it to their MPs http://www.justearth.net/carbontax/index.aspx. I know that the local riding President for the Greens have signed it and it would be nice if we follow suit.

Of note is that Lynn McDonald has suggested to electoral reform and movement towards proportional representation is necessary in order to make the transition towards a low carbon economy http://www.justearth.net/resources/citizenguide.htm. Mind you, she is suggesting that we do need a radical overhaul of our economy in order to achieve environmental justice. Using George Monbiot's "Heat: How to Keep the Earth from Burning" as a guide, Dr. McDonald believes that Layton has moved the NDP away from the social democratic principles proposed by Tommy Douglas. Ideally she would want the NDP to move towards the social democratic environmental agenda proposed by the European Greens and other Scandinavian social democratic parties. Rejecting the carbon tax represents a major step backward towards this goal.

Since Layton's NDP is moving away towards Dr. McDonald's political objectives toward environmental justice, what we need as progressives are a coalition between Stephane Dion's Liberals and Elizabeth May's Greens. However, we need to keep both these parties honest. The carbon tax proposed by Dion and May is still a Pigovian tax, one that still supports free market environmentalism instead of the global justice movement promoted by Monbiot. Still the promotion of a carbon tax by both Dion and May show that both have put considerable political will towards seeking the environmental justice Canadians want.

At Issue 2007-2008 Parliamentary Session Review

2008-06-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is my chance to participate in the bear pit with Andrew Coyne, Chantal Hebert, Rex Murphy, and Allan Gregg. Here it is:

Best Political Play

There is a consensus it was the Afghanistan issue, although Rex liked the Grits response to Mulroney-Schreiber as a way to weaken Harper’s stance on accountability. Forcing the Grits to swallow Diane Finley’s immigration reforms (C-50) also deserved some accolades.

Worst Political Play

No consensus here. Chantal said it was Flaherty’s attacks on McGuinty and Ontario. Coyne argued that Harper led the Bernier affair fester until it became untenable. Allan Gregg attacked Jack Layton’s NDP, while Rex questioned the Grits policy of abstentions.

I will tip the Bernier affair. It showed the Harper Cabinet as lightweight at best and helped boost the ambitions of one Bob Rae, who emerged quickly to give the Grits respectability in the Parliamentary session.

Most Exploited Political Issue

This is arguably the most partisan session in Canadian politics. Andrew believed that the residential school apology was stage managed by all political parties. Chantal did not like the way Julie Couillard was front and centre. Both Allan and Rex focused on global warming. An issue in which politicians tend to promise a lot and the actions prove to be disappointing, even among countries that are meeting the Kyoto targets.

Under-reported Political Event

Chantal went with the wait times issue and the difficulties it affected the political careers of Health Ministers in provinces such as Ontario and Quebec. Andrew went with the oil boom. Gregg tipped Canada-US relations and Rex went with the Human Rights Commission against Mark Steyn and Ezra Levant etc.

I will go with the erosion of civil liberties. Not only in the Khadr affair but the lack of faith in security institutions such as the RCMP and CSIS.

Most Overrated Politician

Both Coyne and Gregg tipped the Prime Minister. No big ideas. It seems that he is not interested in any. Harper has become a politician one can almost set your watch to, in danger of being a broken clock that is right twice a day.

Most Underrated Politician

Gregg went with Stockwell Day, Rex gone with Emerson, Chantal tabbed Chuck Strahl, while Andrew liked some of Maxime’s libertarian concepts while he was at Industry Canada.

I will go with Serge Menard. He was the gadfly in key committee meetings for the Bloc, particularly in the Mulroney-Schreiber and Bernier affairs.

Who We'll Talk About in a Year

Andrew went with Shawn Graham, Gregg went with Lizzie May, Rex said Danny Williams, and Chantal surprised nobody by going for Jean Charest.

I will go with Carole James, the leader of the BC NDP. There will be a provincial election in BC next year and another referendum on BC-STV. Her views on the environment and electoral reform will set the standard not only for Layton but for Dion.

Key Ballot Question

There is a consensus among all the panellists that it has to be the environment and the carbon tax. Dion has staked his political leadership on this issue.

Date of next election

Many believe that it will be in the fall at the next confidence vote. Chantal noted that Dion might change his mind depending on the summer by-elections. Andrew questions whether the NDP will really take the plunge and pull the plug, knowing full well that it is losing support to the Greens.

Euro 2008 Group D Predictions

2008-06-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

1. Spain - I have blogged about the perennial underachieving Spanish side. See the link below
http://mushroomcloudhassmoke.blogspot.com/2008/05/euro-2008-preview-red-flamencos-spain.html

2. Greece - Don't underestimate this team. During Euro 2008 qualifying, this team took the most points and the results include the 4-1 loss to Turkey in Athens!!! The back four are tall and strong enough to defend against most international sides in basketball, let alone soccer. When wingers are faced with fullbacks that are 6'2'', the message "Thou Shalt Not Cross", will be sounded throughout Switzerland and Austria. The centre back duo of Dellas and the 6'4" Kyrgiakos are solid and can soak up pressure all day. Greece will score on the counterattack and they are led by the midfield general Basinas, the winger Charisteas and the centre forward Gekas in Otto Rehhagel's 4-3-3 formation. Definitely the best defensive pairing of the Group.

3. Sweden - What you see is what you get from the Swedes, whether it is ice hockey or soccer. Kallstrom, the team's creative midfielder, is now employed as the sweeper in front of four defenders in what is Swedish soccer's version of the neutral zone trap. Sebastian Larsson, the team's creative dead ball specialist, comes off the bench, just like how the Swedish ice hockey team save their best scoring threat for the penalty shootout. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is world class and Allback has benefited from his service. This team can score but may fall victim to the Greeks defensive wall if they insist on approaching soccer like a chess match.

4. Russia - The much travelled world of Dutch Farmer Guus Hiddink takes him to the oil rich world of Russia. A much more shrewd though less cosmopolitan version of Bora Milutinovic, Hiddink is hired to build a soccer culture in this country. In the former Soviet Union, Dynamo Kiev was the soccer powerhouse and the Ukraine took advantage of the collapse by riding on the coattails of Shevchenko and Rebrov. The team was built from the goal up and is led by the young Akinfeev, since the back four is poor. Notable players include the playmaker Arshavin and the striker Pogrebnyak, who scored 10 goals as Zenit St. Petersburg won the UEFA Cup. However, Arshavin will missed the first two group matches due to suspension. This will hurt the Russians, although getting one point in the first two (vs. the Greeks and Spaniards) may be enough in this ultra conservative group. The final match-up will be against the Swedes and anything goes in this tough competition.

Euro 2008 Predictions: Group of Death (C)

2008-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

1a). Italy

I have blogged about this in a previous blogpost. The link is below
http://mushroomcloudhassmoke.blogspot.com/2008/05/euro-2008-preview-azzurri.html

1b) France

The most famous soccer rivalry with the exception of Mexico-US and Brazil-Argentina renews itself again in the Group stages after a World Cup final and two Euro 2008 qualifying matches. Raymond Domenech was considered by many media pundits to be a great coach after France's win over Brazil in the final eight of World Cup 2006. What is obvious was that France made it to the final due to the contributions of their star players: ie. Zidane and Henry. Zidane has now retired and Henry at Barcelona, is not the speedy striker he was at Arsenal. The centre back pairing features Gallas and Thuram, the latter of which had been around since France won the World Cup in 1998!!! Nevertheless, Ribery has proven to be explosive for Bayern, Coupet is deserving of the number 1 goalkeeping role with the retirement of the aged Barthez, and Benzema will be relied upon to score the goals. Another thing to consider is that the defensive midfield duo of Vieira and Makelele could be a major liability. Domenech will have no excuse if France fails to advance, since he has the awesome Flamini waiting in the wings.

Netherlands - I have blogged about this in an earlier blogpost. The link is below
http://mushroomcloudhassmoke.blogspot.com/2008/05/euro-2008-preview-curious-oranje.html

Romania - Youth can be served here. The Romanian defence is anchored by 6'2'' Goian, who is a threat on set pieces. Much better than his rivals: the aging Thuram and the off-form Materazzi. Chivu, who is a fullback at Inter, is now employed as a defensive midfielder along with Cocis. So the Romanians can definitely win balls against the likes of De Rossi and Gattuso, let alone Makelele and Vieira. The Italians will not be surprised with Adrian Mutu, who has scored key goals as Fiorentina finally makes it to the Champions League in 2008-2009. Mutu is partnered by Dica, who has scored 13 goals in 36 European club matches.

No prediction here in the Group of Death. France and Italy are favoured to advance. Watch for the Romanians. They can do damage and can go far if they make it to the knockout stages.

Euro 2008: Group B Predictions

2008-06-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

1. Germany - The days of Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts, and Andy Brehme are long gone as Jurgen Klinsmann's revolution has changed a German side that had grown stale in the late 90s and early 2000s. Agenda 2010 also means winning the World Cup in South Africa. Klinsmann's successor as national coach, Joachim Loew will continue doing the same thing to a German side that lost to Italy in the World Cup semis, but ended up scoring the most goals in what was a static tournament. Jens Lehmann, a backup for Arsenal, is the only weak link as goalkeeping. The defence needs to overcome the suicidal offside trap that dominate the Bundesliga and are led by Mertesacker and a healthy Metzelder in this tournament. Michael Ballack of Chelsea had a good Premier League and Champions League run, after ex-coach Avram Grant decided to play him more often while Torsten Frings plays the role of midfield general. There will be goals as Klose of Bayern will be paired with future star Mario Gomez of Stuggart, rather than the off-form Lukas Podolski. Expect this team to make it to the semis and set up a possible classic match-up with Portugal.

2. Croatia - Anybody who watched the final qualifying match-up with England in Wembley knew that the better team deserved to go to Euro 2008 and it was not the Three Lions. The team will be missing its major striker Eduardo of Arsenal due to a sick ankle injury. Modric, Kranjcar, and Srna are a talented midfield trio and the first two have the Croats talking about the next generation of stars behind past European Champions League winners Prosinecki and Boban. Croatia will be blessed with the return of Werder Bremen's Klasnic from a career threatening injury and he will team up with Petric in attack. The centre back duo of Kovac and Simunic are the team's achilles heel, but this team should score enough goals to advance into the knockout stages.

3. Poland - Could this team follow the same route as Greece 2004? Worth a flutter on the onside gambling websites. It qualified ahead of Portugal, but both teams do play unimaginative soccer. The centre back pairing of Bak and Jop are slow and lumbering, but do have considerable power and size to knock many speedy forwards to the ground. Boruc of Glasgow Celtic is probably the most unheralded star goalie playing in the European continent today. Dudka and Lewandowski are defensive midfielders who would marshall any counterattacks by the team's lone standout player, Smolarek. Beenhakker is a recycled coach with past success in Feyenoord, Real Madrid, and Turkey, but he is tactically shrewd enough to match wits with 90 per cent of all soccer coaches. First two games are Germany and Austria. Avoid hanging around Roncesvalles and Bloor West Village unless you are a fan of getting drunk on sambuca and watching boring soccer.

4. Austria - Like most Austrians, winters are a time when people pick-up their skis and hang around the ski hills of St. Anton and Kitzbuhel. So the national heroes since the days of Ernst Happel are Hermann Meier and Franz Klammer. In friendlies, the co-hosts have a record of 2 wins and 7 defeats in 16 games. The only recognizable star is the goalie Manninger, who is a regular in Italy's Serie A. Ivanschitz is the team's playmaker and the strike force is led by Ivica Vastic, who is now 38. If I am missing something, please inform me. The chances of Germany and Austria staging a goalless draw so both teams can advance is possible, but I am at a loss to explain how this team can get past Poland and Croatia.

Euro 2008 Prediction: Group A

2008-06-06T18:04:00.001-07:00

Since there are no federal election this summer, I suggest that the Grit MPs in Toronto work the crowd that are watching Euro 2008. Jason Kenney should make an odd appearance just to show that the Cons are not merely puckheads. This is the first of a series of posts with regards to my predictions for Euro 2008

Group A

1. Portugal - Plays boring football/soccer under coach Luis Felipe Scolari. Has the potential to kick most teams into submission, save the play of Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo . Deco is no longer the midfield general he was earlier on with Porto and Barcelona, where he led them to two Champions League victory. Carvalho of Chelsea and Pepe of Real Madrid have to be considered the best international centre back pairing in the world right now. The goalie Ricardo is prone to handling errors but since Scolari's team is ultra conservative, he will be relied on if the game goes into penalties. Secondary scoring with the exception of C. Ronaldo remains a problem.

Needs to finish first to avoid a match-up with Germany in Sweet 16.

2. Switzerland - It would not look good if a host team does not make it to the knockout stages so the edge goes to Canada's future free trade partner over Austria. Key to success will be Serie A midfielders Inler of Udinese (who is of Turkish descent) and Behrami of Lazio (who was born in Mitrovica, Kosovo), Arsenal defender Senderos and striker Frei, who also plays club football in Italy. Still this is a tougher group than expected.

3. Czech Republic - This team got into the tournament by advancing with Germany in a very weak qualifying group. It is led by Petr Cech of Chelsea, who along with Buffon of Italy and Casillas of Spain are considered among the goaltending elite in European soccer. The defence is marshalled by Ujfalusi, who will be seeking a major payday after deciding to leave Serie A side Fiorentina. This team will be missing its creative spark Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal due to injury and like its hockey team, can no longer rely on past stars such as Pavel Nedved, Milan Baros, and Jan Koller are aging. No longer the team that came out of the Velvet Revolution and inspired soccer fans in Euro 1996.

4. Turkey - The key game is tomorrow against Portugal. A win there in what could be a friendly atmosphere for them in Switzerland may happily skewer this prediction. It can pull an occasional good result, as the 4-1 win over Greece in Athens during Euro 2008 qualification will show. The Turks may not advance, but there is no doubt that they play attractive football. Led by the Fenerbache trio of Mehmet Aurelio, Ugar Boral and Semih Senturk, they distinguished themselves as this team made it to the quarterfinals of Champions League with solid wins over Inter, Sevilla, and Chelsea. Nihat and Tuncay can dribble the ball past anybody but they need to hold their nerve inside the box. First two matches are against Portugal and Switzerland. Four points in their first two matches and the word dark horse will be bestowed on them.

If there is anybody who is interested in watching the Portugal and Turkey match in the Dundas and Ossington area tomorrow, please leave a comment. I know this is a political blog, but there is nothing that can marry multiculturalism, ethnic identity, and geopolitics than soccer. I will also be heading for vacation sometime next week so I will not be in T.O. for some key matches. The excitement is definitely gripping me at this moment.

Euro 2008 Video: Nothing but net

2008-06-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

A cosmopolitan version similar to Bird and Jordan in the 90s. My bruschetta for your kebab

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/ribery/video/x5js1f_riber

Euro 2008 preview: A curious oranje (Netherlands)

2008-05-30T16:11:00.001-07:00

26 listed. Three to be cut.

Goalkeepers: Sander Boschker (Twente), Van der Sar (Manchester
United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).

Defenders: Fred Bouma (Villa), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), Johnny
Heitinga (Ajax), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan
Athletic), André Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers), Boulahrouz (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Gio van Bronckhorst, Denny
Landzaat (both Feyenoord), Orlando Engelaar (Twente), Nigel de Jong,
Rafael van der Vaart (HSV), Wes Sneijder (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw
(AZ).

Forwards: Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt (both Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
(Ajax), Van Nistelrooy, Robben (both Real Madrid), Robin van Persie
(Arsenal), Vennegoor of Hesselink (The Celtic).

My comments: Seems like an awful lot of players from lower clubs.
No Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid) and Mark van Bommel (Bayern).
Not too many from PSV!

The attacking midfielders and forwards will play brilliant football in the tradition of Cruyff and Van Basten. Babel, Huntelaar,van Nistelrooy, Robben, van Persie, van der Vaart, Huntelaar, and
Sneijder will try to win the Dutch their first major soccer title since Euro 1988. However, Van Basten's team can be deceiving. Witness the thugfest between Portugal and the Netherlands in World Cup 2006. Being in the Group of Death does not help. Furthermore, none of the attackers listed above have won anything major in Champions League. This makes their achievements less impressive than the previous generation which was led by Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, and Patrick Kluivert, who proved to be major disappointments nationally.

Problems between players are coaches have plagued recent Dutch sides. Guus Hiddink, Louis van Gaal, and Dick Advocaat both had problems with the stars in the Dutch squad. Van Basten was no exception. Both Seedorf and van Bommel will stay away. Van Nistelrooy spent most of the last World Cup on the bench. He has agreed to come back. It is not surprising that Ruud needs to score for the Dutch to do well and to go far in this competition.

More bad news for Gordon Brown

2008-05-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

Labour is not looking forward to the results for the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. It is set to lose this constituency for the first time in history which they won in 2005 by 7000 votes!!!

Crewe is a working class town, a place I was very familiar with when I did my grad studies. A junction on the London-Liverpool main line, most of the citizens either worked for British Rail or Rolls Royce. Gwyneth Dunwoody was the famous MP there before she died earlier this year.

Dunwoody was very Old Labour, rebelling against the Labour front bench by voting against the Maastricht Treaty, further European integration (was also a former European Parliament member), reducing the age of consent for homosexuals from 18 to 16 while supporting the re-nationalization of British rail and taking a pro-hunting stance. Part of this was due to the conservative surroundings of Nantwich ie. Manchester countrywide. However, it is quite evident that the working class tends to have more socially conservative views than the lawyers and academics which dominate the Labour intelligentsia.

The Conservative candidate happens to be the son of a local key cutting and shoe repair chain in the North West of England.

Major issue of outrage was the increase of the lowest tax bracket from 10p to 20p as the starting rate of UK income tax.

UPDATE: Labour lost to the Conservatives by 7860 votes for a 17.6 per cent swing with a 58.2 per cent turnout in a by-election!!! Boy do they hate this Paul Martin lookalike.

Euro 2008 preview: The azzurri

2008-05-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

24 players, one will be cut.
GKs: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis
DFs: Barzagli, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Materazzi, Panucci, Zambrotta
MFs: Ambrosini, Aquilani, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Gattuso, Montolivo, Perrotta, Pirlo
FWs: Borriello, Cassano, Del Piero, Di Natale, Quagliarella, Toni

From the World Cup winning team in 2006, Nesta and Totti have retired from international duty. Iaquinta is injured and will miss Euro 2008. Antonio Cassano's return to Italy has been scintillating, scoring 10 goals in 22 for Sampdoria as the team clinched an UEFA Cup berth. No way Donadoni will cut him given his intention to name the tempestous player to the squad.

An aging defence (with the exception of Barzagli and Chiellini) coupled with a lethal strike force (the six strikers named have scored a combined 100 goals). The player most likely to be left out would be one of Aquilani, Montolivo, and Quagliarella.

Don't expect the boring catenaccio football of Italy's past national teams (pre-Lippi). Donadoni will emphasize ball possession and lots of rapid passing. The aging defence means Italy may win a few 3-2 games. Since France's strike force (Henry, Trezeguet, and Wiltord), the azzurri should be co-favourites along with Germany to win Euro 2008. One last shot for the world champions before a much younger team goes to South Africa to defend the World Cup in 2010.

Note: Donadoni has re-signed for two more years, taking the team for World Cup 2010. This will put to rest the rumours that he will replace Ancelotti at Milan.

Euro 2008 preview: The Red Flamencos (Spain)

2008-05-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Since the chances of a late spring election is unlikely at this point, it seems that Grit bloggers Jeff Jedras and Jason Cherniak will be spending some time at the Rogers Centre watching that great export of American imperialism -- baseball. For me, you can find me in the College and Bathurst area watching Euro 2008 and the final stages of the Copa Libertadores. This will the first of a few posts previewing some of the teams in Euro 2008. Mind you, there is more politics in soccer (or is it football????), than in that game the Brits called "rounders" that were played in finishing schools since the 19th century.

Okay, the first team to preview is that nation with secessionist sentiments and where Stephane Dion's work on federalism is taken the most seriously. Spain.

Coach Luis Aragones' team selections.

By Club
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas
Barcelona: Puyol, Iniesta, and Xavi
Real Betis: Juanito
Getafe: De la Red
Liverpool: Arbeloa, Reina, Torres, and Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid: Casillas and Sergio Ramos
RCD Mallorca: Fernando Navarro and Güiza
Sevilla: Palop
Valencia: Albiol, Marchena, Silva and Villa
Villarreal: Capdevila, Cazorla and Senna
Real Zaragoza: Sergio García.

My thoughts. Missing are the Real Madrid duo of Raul and Guti. Too many Liverpool players: Reina and Torres are exceptional, but Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso are squad players at best.

Probable starting XI on opening day

Casillas
Sergio Ramos Puyol Albiol Capdevila
Cazorla Fabregas Senna Silva
Torres Villa

Alternative midfield pairing: Xavi Fabregas Alonso Iniesta

What a provincial side :( Seems like the coach has an anti-Madrid and pro-Aragon bias. Many starters from Valencia and Villareal. Note that there are no players selected from Athletic Bilbao, the all Basque club. Andalucia is grossly underepresented. Only one player from Sevilla (a back-up goalie) on a team that lost in penalties to Fenerbahce of Istanbul in what was the most exciting knockout tie in this year's Champions League.

Last time Spain distinguished itself was Euro 1984, when it lost to the hosts France led by Platini. Expect the traditional loss to Italy or France in the knockout stages. Spanish soccer fans deserve better. How would you feel if the Canadian hockey team is selected by Harper's cabinet: no Ontarians and Atlantic Canadians?

Why no Naomi Klein on this shortlist?

2008-05-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Michael Ignatieff, Steven Pinker, Charles Taylor, and Malcolm Gladwell for making the shortlist for Foreign Policy/The Prospect's Top 100 Intellectuals. We will get the results on June 23. The list is below:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4314#bios

Compared to this exercise from three years ago,
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/topintellectuals.html

For Canada, they got one more in 2008, up from three. Pinker was at 26 while Iggy was at 37.

Prominent Canadians missing from the Foreign Policy/The Prospect shortlist:

Why no Naomi Klein? After writing "The Shock Doctrine", she was not in the list. Was at Number 11 three years ago. Controversial book, I'm sure, with questionable economic assessments. But Manchester Guardian readers can't be summarily dismissed like the Grit opposition by the Harper Cons.

Irshad Manji has yet to make the list with "The Trouble with Islam Today" while Ayaan Hirsi Ali makes it. There are gay and lesbian Muslims whose voice need to be heard. Irshad Manji provides it. If I am Stephen Harper, I would appoint her as a Conservative candidate in Mississauga, no questions asked. A heroine that is grossly misrepresented by all liberal fundamentalists, Ezra Levant, and the Mark Steyn types. One of the most prominent Canadians in continental Europe today.

Well, these are the two that are on my mind that are most deserving. If you know of any prominent Canadians here, please let me know.

NOTE: Apparently Naomi is no fan to the people at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who are sponsoring this exercise. Spending most of your energy in "The Shock Doctrine" attacking the work of Carnegie fellows such as Jeffrey Sachs and Anders Aslund is a sure way to make friends who are commissioning this poll. Mind you, many intellectuals from the New Left Review are not there either :(

Poison pill for Dion: a gas tax holiday

2008-05-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

In his post criticizing Dion's support for a carbon tax, The Grumpy Voter has supported my idea of Stephen Harper to dare the Liberals in forcing an election by proposing a gas tax holiday
http://grumpyvoter.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-ensure-election-defeat-liberal.html

As a response to Danielle Takacs' comment, I suggested that a gas tax holiday is bad economics but shrewd Machiavellian politics. It would also allow Harper to swing hard right and win a majority by appealing to the populist Reform tendencies of his grassroots. The PM will have to throw Flaherty under the bus to do this, but since the Cons are struggling in Ontario, what is there to lose?

Since Harper is an economist, maybe he should download this paper for consideration.

"The study is titled "$2.00 Gas! Studying the Effects of a Gas Tax Moratorium," by Joseph J. Doyle Jr. and Krislert Samphantharak. The authors concluded that "the suspension of the 5% sales tax led to decreases in retail prices of 3% compared to neighboring states. And when the tax was reinstated, retail prices rose by roughly 4%."

This suggests that the tax holiday delivered at least 60 percent of the tax savings to motorists."

40 per cent goes to middle men/producers, another good way to solidify the Cons base.

A blogger (bobbank) at MyDD also made a comment with regards to gas taxes:

"The gas tax is one of the most regressive taxes in our entire system. The proportion of income that a low-income household spends on gas is vastly higher than that same ratio for a high-income household. Seen as a percent of income, therefore, the gas tax puts an undue burden on those least able to bear it. Alleviating and eventually restructuring this tax is the progressive thing to do. (Also note that, in the long run, we will need to find another way to fund our highways and infrastructure. Even at peak consumption, the gas tax is not sufficient, and we know consumption will decline over the coming years as we diversify our energy portfolio.)"

Using the Tom Flanagan-Stephen Harper perspective, instead of allocating money through public infrastructure spending, highways and infrastructures need to be funded through road pricing, tolls, private financing initiatives etc.

Even if it is bad economics, why are these two politicians running with it?

"If you look at the record profits at the oil companies, they sure can afford to pay the gas tax for you, which will save the average family $70 over the summer,” she (Hillary Clinton) told the Indiana Tech audience. “So you know there’s a big difference between us. And the question is, who understands what you’re going through? And who can you count on to be on your side to get us to solutions that are going to help you for a change instead of folks who are already doing very well?” she said.

In the House of Commons this week, Jack Layton gave his opinion about gas prices. "Mr. Speaker, today's families are concerned about the state of the economy. Their jobs are in danger, and they keep having to pay higher and higher prices at the pump." When will the prime minister act, he demanded, and "curb this rise in energy prices"?"

Hmmm. Seems like all systems go for Harper. Let's have a summer election.

UPDATE: It seems that another blogger and another prominent NDP politician have given a thumbs up to this "nonsensical" idea
http://sasklibertytrain.blogspot.com/2008/05/cutting-fuel-tax-in-saskatchewan.html

One prominent economist has come forward to support a gas tax holiday. Bryan Caplan and the George Mason School do come out with ideas that are considered out of so-called mainstream academia, but these people do make the University of Calgary and the Fraser Institute sound sane. You can find this defence of a gas tax holiday here
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/opinion/08caplan.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Jack Layton and Lorne Calvert aligning themselves with free market libertarians? Anybody who knows the Layton family may not be that surprise. But still, strange bedfellows.

Does this mean Hab fans have to listen to Carla Bruni?

2008-05-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

It seems a petition is being circulated so that there will be a different form of intermission entertainment during Hab games next season

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/05/07/habs-french.html

What is next, Zebda being used as intro in UFC contests featuring Georges St. Pierre???

For an introduction to Zebda, see the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJR8BdJvNYg

More bad news for the let's pretend Liberals

2008-05-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Membership are deserting them in droves. The party is mired in debt and plagued with a fundraising scandal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7380237.stm

For Gordon Brown and the Labour Party, they have suffered the worst local election debacle in 40 years.

Even the Londoners have abandoned Ken Livingstone for Boris Johnson. So Greater London will get a Conservative mayor.

FYI, I did not vote Labour when I was in the UK doing my grad studies. I switched between the Liberal Democrats and the anti-globalist Greens. The War on Terror and Iraq were just not on for me.

Message for Stephane Dion. Stop associating yourself with this non-progressive government. Please tailor your 30-50 anti-poverty plan according to the Irish, French, and German models. It may also be time to end the government's delivery of public services. A decade of New Labour government has brought forth very little improvement to UK's declining infrastructure.

I think the Idealistic Pragmatist is somewhere between Ontario and Western Europe at this moment. She is probably smiling at the poor fundraising results for us Grits. The sad thing is that electoral reform is going to take a bit longer in the UK House of Parliament. No way is Labour going to finish strong enough to enter a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. The Welsh local election results are a total disaster. Who would have thought that there are a lot of under 40 Welsh nationalist voters there? I give credit to Manic Street Preachers, Charlotte Church, and the rugby team winning the Six Nations.

Just for this weekend, on yer bikes!!!

2008-04-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

While my fellow Grit blogger Jason Cherniak is clamouring for the McGuinty government for getting the workers back to work and declaring the TTC an essential service http://jasoncherniak.blogspot.com/2008/04/union-bashing.html, this is my take on the TTC strike. If this is the attitude that many fellow Liberals follow, then I need to question whether we deserve to win the next federal election and form a true progressive government.

This is my take on the TTC strike.

ATU Local 113 President Bob Kinnear had no option but to strike at midnight with Toronto Mayor David Miller threatening arbitration and back to work legislation. Note that the Blondness made the call to the Ontario Premier at 11 pm. This meant that the call between Kinnear and Miller was made earlier. Thus the phone call did not go well at all between the two.

That Miller blamed Kinnear at the press conference and saying that Kinnear broke his promise etc. etc. is pure scapegoating. As one who had support among the union rank and file, Miller should have known that there are problems for Kinnear to bring the rank and file workers along. To have the Blondness and his minion TTC Chair Adam Giambrone suggest a coup of the ATU 113 executive is irresponsibility from my local government to say the least. Kinnear was right when he blamed the TTC grey suits, Miller, and Giambrone down the wrong garden path.

Cam at Peterborough Politics http://cameronholmstrom.blogspot.com/2008/04/struck-by-surprise.htmland Dr. Dawg http://drdawgsblawg.blogspot.com/ have also offered a perspective that differs from the anti-union posts that appeared on Progressive Bloggers today.

Now let me put on my a greener, richer, and fairer Canada hat on.

Personally I don't mind this strike. Imagine the savings we taxpayers will get to have ATU 113 members dip into their union dues and earn their strike pay. It has become an inefficient organization that needs to be reformed and I hope that Dalton's government does this. However, I am oppose to the declaration of TTC as an essential service. Do you think bus drivers deserve the rants of Jason Cherniak when he was stuck on the bus last night? Well, so was I, but given the way how Toronto City Hall handles things, are we really that surprised?

What we should be doing is to have a fundamental re-evaluation of our dependence on public transport. While environmentally friendly, does it really address the climate change problem long term? Instead of clubbing at the Entertainment District, have you wondered whether that local pub deserve your money this weekend? How about putting your bike to use after a long winter? Maybe Stephane Dion's greener Canada requires more bike lanes and more pedestrianized communities where people feel more comfortable shopping in family owned boutiques than in power centres with Wal-Mart and other big box retail outlets. Yes, in a weekend where there is a trade show supporting greener living at Exhibition Place, maybe not having the TTC for a few days can help us move closer to a greener, fairer, and richer Canada.

Getting Dalton McGuinty declare the TTC an essential service is a cop-out, not a solution. Neither is a reliance on public transit, despite the money that Harper's Cons is pouring into bus pass tax credits and extending the subway to Vaughan Mills.

What the PM should be doing this Saturday night

2008-04-19T00:37:00.000-07:00

Lots of Con supporters will be at this event at the Bell Centre

http://www.canadastarboxing.com/ufc/2008/ufc83/ufc83x300.jpg

Cultural displacement due to economic anxiety at its finest. Very few of these fans vote Liberal anyway. There are two progressive voters for the dead enders who show up to watch this crap.

Me, I think I will write a letter to the Ontario Athletics Commissioner trying to get mixed martial arts sanctioned in Ontario. Would not mind to have it put on for special occasions. The main event should be Baird v. Smitherman and Flaherty v. Duncan.

Stopping Stephen Harper: What is to be Done?

2008-04-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

A blogger in the US has came up with a way to present the dilemma presented in my last blogpost. The link is below

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/12/103910/795

Using the classic Thomas Frank argument on Stephen Harper, the premise is this: working class white male voters are not voting for their economic interests when they were voting the Cons but instead get suckered into voting on culture war issues (God, guns, gays, immigrants, etc.). It remains to be seen whether Harper recognizes that Canada is more secular than the US. Since Obama brought up the subject last week, it is my duty to present some solutions to this dilemma. Apologies to fellow bloggers, pundits, Members of Parliament etc. for subscribing the ideas below, even if you do not mean them.

The options for defeating Stephen Harper are:

1) The democraticSPACE argument: For every one working class white male wingnut who will vote for Stephen Harper there are two progressives who will vote against him. Don't take the bait on Charles McVety's cultural war. Use electoral reform through proportional representation to form a progressive coalition against him.

2) The Calgary Grit/Prairie Fire argument: Open up the Liberal party to the cultural conservative positions as a means to understand Western Canadian alienation. By running cultural conservative, centre-right candidates in rural Canada can we open the door to the Liberal Party and get the voters to realize that it supports tax cuts and fiscal responsibility.

3) The Shawinigan Mark II argument: Dion models his leadership as Jean Chretien version 2.0. In the summer barbecue scene, he should wear more denim and plaid. Appear on Rick Mercer's show and talk about fly fishing. Expect more cheap CPC ads ridiculing Dion further if he fails to pull this off. The only reason this option is viable is that you believe Dion can win the next election by focusing on the economy and ratcheting up the populist economic rhetoric of Hillary in Pennsylvania. It is the "fight fire with fire" argument with the objective of destroying Harper by relentlessly hounding Flaherty.

4) The Stephane Dion is authentic argument: Acknowledge that the Cons have real attractions for people that are economically displaced but that it is ultimately a reflection of a federal government that has not responded well on real economic matters. This is tricky because it forces Dion to attack Stephen Harper head-on. The weakness is that Dion may become the victim of his own cleverness - he is using an elitist maneuver to point out that Harper's cultural displacement of economic anxiety is a fraud. What will mobilize the Cons to get out the vote is to have Dion trying to destroy Doug Finley, Ian Brodie, and Tom Flanagan in a way that becomes a battle of ideas. This strategy threatens to expose the core beliefs of the Conservative party and they will want to keep the lid on it.

Using the economic anxiety and cultural displacement argument against Harper has its risks. What if Canadian voters are truly culturally conservative and they do not respond to a neo-Marxist polemic? But my suspicion is that this may be the tipping point to woo disaffected white rural and working class voters who would otherwise vote Reform, Canadian Alliance, and the CPC.

What's the Matter with Stephen Harper?

2008-04-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

"You go into some of these small towns in rural Saskatchewan, Interior British Columbia, a small town in the Eastern Township, the jobs have been gone now for almost 20 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through thanks to Mulroney's administration and Harper's government is not helping. They promise that free trade and tax cuts will help these communities regenerate and they have not. So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

So there. Change the words somewhat and you have Stephane Dion doing a Canadian version of Barack Obama. The Blogging Tories are up in arms. How dare the nerdy professor say this and be dismissive of us? Well, if any leader of the federal Liberals said something similar to this, I would clap my hands in glee. We have addressed the fundamental problem in what is the matter with Stephen Harper.

There is no doubt in my mind that Obama has paid attention to Thomas Frank. Frank is proud to call himself a Democrat in the William Jennings Bryan mode. In his book "What's the Matter of Kansas?", Frank bemoans the rise of the Republicans and how they use the social conservative rhetoric in order to pursue the neoliberal economic policies he despises. To show that the left can win in the US rural heartland, Frank then offers the example of Kathleen Sebelius' gubernatorial victory in Kansas as a means to show how a Democrat can win in a social conservative state.

Does Thomas Frank have a lesson which Canadian progressives should follow? Given the weakness of the Left in the three regions stated in the excerpt above, maybe the progressives need to address this dilemma if it is going to defeat Stephen Harper. Mind you, it is more difficult for an academic from Quebec City, Hudson, Quebec, or Upper Canada College to address it than a church lady from Cape Breton Island (yes, Lizzie May, you have the edge over Dion, Layton, and Iggy here). Thus I would agree with Mark Francis that outright policy theft from the Greens may be something the Grits and the NDP need to consider.

Let's fast forward to the 2008 Presidential race in the US. John McCain may have won the Republican nomination, but the wild card has to be Mike Huckabee's ascendency. Credit needs to be given to the Huckster. After all, he was the last man standing against McCain. Someone who outlast the big money campaigns of Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. There is a populist vote out there to be won and McCain should not take this vote for granted. The key for the Democrats is to rally Huckabee supporters to their side. If Sebelius can do it, then the Democrats can take heart.

Thomas Frank's solution to win the votes of the increasingly disillusioned social conservatives is to attack the neoliberal global trade system. At the same time, the progressives need to abandon the tax cutting mantra. Looking back, Stephane Dion may rue the day he listened to Ralph Goodale and appointed Joan Beatty over David Orchard. The Grits had the key to overcome rural alienation in Canada and I am beginning to see this as an opportunity wasted. What better way do the Grits have to get farmers who drive pick-up trucks and enjoy duck hunting to vote for us?

For your late evening enjoyment, I will attach this speech from Thomas Frank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd5nd3aBtkU

UPDATE: There has been a request to a transcript of Obama's comments in the San Francisco fundraiser. The link to the transcript is below
http://thepage.time.com/transcript-of-obamas-remarks-at-san-francisco-fundraiser-sunday/

No Caucus for Old Grits

2008-04-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

Steve V. at Far and Wide asked me whether the Grit party is better now after abstaining through this parliamentary session. I responded by saying that the party is doing better with Bob Rae, Martha Hall Findlay, and Joyce Murray on board. He asks:

"Are you touring the blogs, there's an air of depression? You don't think that sentiment is representative of other, non-line Liberals?"

This is my response to this blogpost http://farnwide.blogspot.com/2008/04/put-sock-in-it.html, which I decided to post here.

Well, we can always play the good soldier. Hell, I may be in Guelph one day with Cherniak helping Frank win his by-election. When we take into consideration of other, non-line Liberals leaving the party for the NDP and the Greens, the only consolation I can say is that we are bound to lose them anyway. Thirteen years in power and the Grits are left with a leadership that prefers to have policies under wraps, no interest in renewal or listening to the grassroots, fighting the same divisive battles between Turner and Chretien, and caucus MPs that want to get re-elected for the sake of increasing their pensions. I don't think Dion can be solely blamed for this, although he has yet to rejuvenate himself from his past mistakes.

What do you do when the political party you support is not sexy anymore? Staying in Afghanistan under the auspices of NATO until 2011, moving away from the peacekeeping roles which Canadians have distinguished themselves in the past. No longer promoting a radical re-thinking of our social safety net that had served well for the baby boomers. What about changing the way our taxes should be paid so we can have a greener Canada: more consumption taxes, less taxation geared to income? Stephane Dion has said he will promote these policies as his three pillars in the next Liberal government. He may still be able to win proponents of these progressive policies back to the Liberal fold. Until Dion succeeds in doing so, fair minded progressives are right to put the Grits on probation. So keep on hurting our party finances by sending money to the NDP and the Greens. If the Grits don't know how to entice your wallet, then they don't deserve your money anyway.

Dion leaves his opponents sprawling in the dust

2008-04-09T23:40:00.001-07:00

Even the Prime Minister would admit this dude is one tough customer!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8U1OMDLv8w

Mark Penn's departure: probably too little, too late

2008-04-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Hillary has just replaced Mark Penn as chief strategist. I had thought that her campaign has finally triangled herself to death. But while the Clintons may campaign like old horses drunk on beer, I will not count her out. Her options are now limited.

A former NAFTA booster in the 90s so desperate to win Pennsylvania that Hillary is promising to build economic firewalls from the Delaware to the Allegheny. Trying to win prominent labour votes from the Change to Win Federation means that you throw Mark Penn under the bus.

Still the Clintons are dependent on Mark Penn. He will still do polling and advice. But it is obvious that Penn is now on the outside and had little to do with the Ohio primary. Hillary had become more attentive to Harold Ickes and Howard Wolfson recently. It is Wolfson that had encouraged Hillary to go negative on Obama, using the plagiarism charge to highlight Obama's weak public record. So there will be no new message in the next few weeks.

Hillary's salvation may turn out to be Maggie Williams. The head of Fenton Communications may be able to use the "public interest" argument to frame the campaign if she was thrusted into a prominent role earlier. Now, MoveOn.org and Environmental Media Services are now firmly in Obama's camp. So it is probably too little, too late.

Public interest research groups. Who would have thought that this may be the mobilization process for America's new left.

Bessarabian Chicken Tikka Masala an April Fools Joke???

2008-04-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems that Diane Finley is not the most enthusiastic politician with regards to Romanian and Bulgarian curry chefs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7324682.stm

I am not sure if Western Grit realizes the non-existence of Finley's interview when he read it, despite the similarity of this view with the immigration policies of the Reform Party. His blogpost is worthwhile to look at and the link is below

http://westerngrit.blogspot.com/

Need to watch the Food Channel more often. Expect the see changes in the Bessarabian Chicken Tikka Masala in the next several years, if C-50 gets passed and we don't have an election soon.

Harper's hidden immigration agenda?

2008-04-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

This just came in through the wired news. Maybe this is the reason why the Cons wanted to change Canada's immigration laws.

Finley urges in house training

Page last updated at 11:03 EDT, Tuesday, 1 April 2008

People already residing in Canada will be trained up to fill staff shortages in curry houses, Immigration Minister Diane Finley has said.

The industry fears it will be hit hard by the implementation of C-50, should it be passed through the minority Parliament later this year.

Ms Finley was asked to help ease shortages in kitchen staff, who used to be largely recruited from Bangladesh.

Ms Finley said: "We will make it possible for people who are in this country to be trained to be either chefs or restaurant workers in the industry.

"We are doing far more to train than ever before, unlike the previous Liberal government. We know there are people who, if trained, could make a contribution to the restaurant industry."

She said it was important, not only so people could contribute towards the Canadian economy, but to become productive workers earning good salaries. Ms Finley said the Conservative government believed they had come to a "fair" position on immigration but she wanted to help people already in Canada train up to fill the jobs.

However, opponents of C-50 are unimpressed of Finley's position and are urging Stephane Dion's Liberals to defeat this bill, even while risking a possible election.

According to the Immigration Advisory Service, restrictions that could be imposed due to the implementation of C-50 could lead to the shortage of lower-skilled workers. A labour shortage so severe it could cause "irreparable damage" to the curry industry.

Finley has rejected accusations that the Harper government is against immigration. She has also argued that there are training programs available to have newly arrived eastern Europeans to work in curry restaurants.

However in the UK, the Blair government's similar plans to fill curry kitchens with Bulgarians and Romanians had failed because eastern Europeans have shown "no cultural sensitivity or understanding" of the curry industry.

"It is a sad comment on Canadian government policy that it favours eastern Europeans over citizens of South Asian countries such as Bangladesh whose preceding generations have contributed so much to the Canadian economy and continue to do so," a spokesperson for the Immigration Advisory Service said.

It had wrote to Finley asking for the rules to be relaxed for catering workers from Bangladesh. But government officials said they had no plans to review the current arrangements.

However, an unnamed staffer from the Conservative government pointed out that when he visited curry restaurants in Toronto, he saw "Oriental" people sleeping in the kitchen, and added that they are "slowly taking over."

Desperately Seeking Nelly

2008-03-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

What has the Grit caucus been doing since September? See the link below:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=9c2a77a4-515d-4e01-8934-8f579e3ca405&k=44103

The weather is getting better soon and the barbecue circuit means the Grit MP are in the friendly confines of supporters who say platitudes that you are doing a good job. Meanwhile Layton and Duceppe can point out this article to their supporters by claiming that they are the true Opposition to Harper. All we said while dodging and disappearing is that we will be a better team because we won three seats in the by-elections.

By-elections are necessary in a renewal process, especially when you want new Liberal representatives to replace retiring MPs. But it does not excuse making decisions on opposing the government on the fly, as if you are waiting for your opportunity to act in a very bad movie. In fact, this has become a pretty bad movie. Grit backbench MPs reluctantly showing up at Question Period, extremely happy when it ends on Thursday afternoon. Can't wait to be back in the local constituency on Friday and attend those functions where you will get good media publicity in the community newspapers.

Is this what our Grit MPs have become? Where is the progressive agenda we need to be articulating? Please shape up or we may start donating our hard earned money to environmental non-governmental organizations by accident.

Obama's authenticity: A political performance through disidentification

2008-03-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

One word: authenticity.

Barack Obama has it. He opens himself to the voters, unlike most politicians. It is obvious he has thought about this issue throughout his life. Note that Obama refused to be handled by his advisors, deciding to address the issue head on. Will it win Penn for him? Don’t know, but Obama is campaigning on his own accord.

One theme has developed throughout this contest. Whenever the chips are down in his political career, Obama is able to pull one of these speeches in order to prove his doubters wrong. The Jefferson-Jackson dinner, the speech after winning the Iowa caucus, and now this one in Constitution Hall.

In fact, I find Obama’s religious exuberance is something that makes him even more authentic. After all, the US is a very religious society and it is no surprise that the Obamas and the Huckabees do have great appeal. North of the border, we define authenticity not by faith but in how much one contributes to making society a fairer place to all.

Since race has been injected into the Democratic nomination process, let us consider how Obama's authenticity has manifested itself when he seeks to tackle this issue. Two books that seemingly provides an explanation are E. Patrick Johnson's "Appropriating Blackness: performance and the politics of authenticity" and Jose Esteban Munoz's "Disidentifications: Queers of Color and the Performance of Politics".

Using queer theory to understand Obama's authenticity seems to be strange. But it does make sense. According to the research of cultural theorist Jose Esteban Munoz, Obama's speech in Philadelphia can be considered an attempt to "disidentify" himself. Obama's quest for the Presidency is based on these three concepts. Minority performance, survival, and activism. To win, Obama is attempting to negotiate with the majority culture through disidentification. Disidentification is defined by Munoz as the "survival strategies the minority subject practices in order to negotiate a phobic majoritarian public sphere that continuously elides or punishes" subjects who fail to conform to normative culture. A key process of this "disidentification" is to embrace the future now, not later in the political process.

Obama's disidentification process starts by offering hope , in order to set up the concept of a "politics of not yet here". Then it proceeds to reveal a fiercely political and bitter critique of the present. In this insistence Barack transforms himself into a neo-Marxist critical theorist influenced by the works of CLR James, Ernst Bloch, and Theodor Adorno. The transformation has worked itself as he moved from the Iowa caucus (a state in which the population is 95 per cent white) to the South Carolina. Note that from South Carolina, more and more black delegates have moved towards him.

Frank Leon Roberts' has a post describing Obama's disidentification in the Huffington Post. The link is http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:nQuKh2fX3NsJ:www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-leon-roberts/the-souls-of-ordinary-fol_b_80322.html+obama,+bloch+and+adorno&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=ca&client=firefox-a

If Stephane Dion is like Obama, we would be laughing. He can be, but perhaps he’s not there yet.

My response to Jason Cherniak

2008-03-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

Jason asks:

"Are you involved in your local riding association? Are you donating money or asking others to donate? Are you canvassing or making phone calls for Martha Hall Findlay, Bob Rae, Joyce Murray and/or Joan Beatty? Are you calling your local Liberal candidate and asking what you can do to help? Is your blog helping the cause or hurting it? If you want an election, are you more likely to get it by complaining in public? Or are you more likely to get it by showing your support for Stéphane Dion?"

The answer to these questions are: Yes, I am and have been canvassing for Martha. Saw you there too, the people in my riding association even offered to give you a ride to the subway afterwards. There must be a photo of us together somewhere in facebook with Martha and Omar Alghabra. You probably know who I am.

I also sat in a town hall meeting with Martha. She has been against going to the polls. I respect her decision and I will not put doubts into her political judgment. That's just my way of dealing with things in politics.

My blog helping or hurting the cause??? I use it in many ways. Sometimes to report on Grit political events in the area, sometimes to network, sometimes to write about things I don't want to in a more formal setting. I would like more comments and readers on Progressive bloggers, but have put on comment moderation due to the presence of racist trolls. The theme is obvious. I feel in my past political dealings, they like to leave the grassroots in the dark. Turn off the lights, feed us sh*t, and expect us to knock on doors, donate money etc. I do all these things, but I like to know that I am not alone. In fact, from the feedback I get, I feel comforted that my sentiments are shared.

" The media have reported often enough that Mr. Dion wants an election, so why not support his apparent preference? First and foremost, has Mr. Dion ever said that he wants an election? Or is the media basing their reports on anonymous sources who might have ulterior motives?"

Just because many people don't know who I am then, why are you questioning my ulterior motives? Oh, does the blogger himself or herself know what their ulterior motives are? If these ulterior motives are leading to many sleepless nights, my advice is that maybe it is not worth getting involved politically. There are must saner things to blog about like NHL hockey, European soccer etc. But this is what gets us interested in blogging, so be it.

"Why is it any different for bloggers?"

Which bloggers? I can be placed on a moratorium on blogging about Liberal politics. I can turn my blog into a discussion on a hockey pool for the NHL playoffs or my fantasy picks for March Madness and the upcoming baseball season. Will it interest people in Liblogs and progressive bloggers? Feel free to comment.

Lessons from the Spanish elections

2008-03-12T00:26:00.000-07:00

I have not compiled my thoughts on the Spanish elections until now. The success of Zapatero's re-election win will bode well for Stephane Dion provided he learns the lessons from this campaign. I will first reveal my personal thoughts.

These were wonderful election results. New Europe is alive and well, especially as poor Italy struggles with the possible comeback of Berlusconi.

What is New Europe? New Europe is about the Spaniards, Turks, Irish, Welsh, Scot, and the Catalans expressing their national identity in a borderless society. Immigrants can fit because they can be European and their own identity. A trip from Istanbul to London now is almost like a plane trip from Toronto to Calgary.

The conservative Popular Party lost because they took the bait and made a backlash against so-called multiculturalism a key election issue. Zapatero's victory demonstrates that the Liberals under Dion need to bait Harper into making gay rights and immigration central election issue. Legalizing gay marriage and offering a blanket amnesty against undocumented workers did it for Zapatero. What is more daring is that Zapatero offered the amnesty one year AFTER the Madrid train bombing.

Links to articles on Zapatero using gay rights and immigration central issues to his campaign are listed below:
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=714362
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120519857159726053.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

An ideal election campaign would be having Harper talk about immigration and same sex marriage in the first few weeks. Dion may be wise to use Zapatero's example and offer a blanket amnesty on illegal immigrants to increase the tax rolls in order to fund more social programs.

For those who know me, a word on proportional representation and coalition building becomes mandatory when discussing European general elections. Proportional representation under d'Hondt under party lists has led to an increase in seats for Zapatero's Socialists and the Popular Party in Spain. He is now seven seats short of a majority. Unfortunately, his parliamentary alliance with the United Left and the Republican Left of Catalonia will not be enough as Zapatero's success took seats away from the two. It is expected that Zapatero will form an alliance with the Catalonian Convergence and Unity Federationhttp://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aTaz7cSSD8S4&refer=home. This result may encourage the far left in Spain to support a move towards mixed member proportional representation.

Another valuable lesson one can learn from the Spanish general election is that as the Grits move further to the left while pursuing a social democratic agenda, it will see itself as a champion for regionalism and more Quebec autonomy. These themes are in the backburner due to the traditional national unity stance taken by the Grits, which were fostered by the requisite anti-Americanism prominent in the political discourse. As the aim of social democracy is based on the notion of internationalism and world government, the concept of nationhood will have to be defined by the Grits as it seeks moves to capture ground in the political left.

Postscript: Wilf Day has given an analysis on rabble with regards to the Spanish elections. The link is below http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=003700

How does this sound?

2008-03-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

It's 3 am and the phone rings at 24 Sussex Drive. Who will you trust in dealing with the Royal Canadian Armed Forces, the war against the Taliban, keeping Canada's border safe, and guns away from the streets of Canada? There is one man who have the experience in government, met with the world's political leaders in the past, and have established a reputation as a tough political leader when dealing with national crisis. It's 3 am and who do you want to answer the phone when the children are still asleep?

I am Stephane Dion and I approve this ad.

For the original ad, you can see it here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kddX7LqgCvc

Grit amendment to the budget

2008-03-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

This is the Grit non-confidence amendment that will be voted on today with regards to the House of Commons 2008-09 budget:

"this House recognizes that this budget contains some initiatives that attempt to mirror sound and intelligent Liberal policy proposals, but regrets that the government has made significant economic policy mistakes over the past two years and shown an NDP-like lack of fiscal prudence that prevent it from dealing with a downturn in the Canadian economy"

I don't think memories of Gary Doer, Roy Romanow, and Lorne Calvert are dancing in Ralph Goodale's head. As if Bob Rae was the only king the NDP had in the past thirty years. Those who fail to remember their history, will be apt to repeat it. Expect "Rae Days, Rae Days" to be a parody in a future election.

Note that I have nothing against Rae. But it is better to let our own sleeping dogs lie.

Congratulations, Rob Oliphant

2008-03-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

Rob Oliphant has won the Liberal nomination in Don Valley West and will fill the mantle of John Godfrey in the next election.

Let's keep the red tide rolling in Toronto. Bring it on, Jane Pitfield, if you decide to be the Conservative candidate there.

BTW, Single Transferable Vote (STV) works in the riding nomination process here in Ontario. You come into the voting booth, cast your preferences, leave. The voting lasts for four hours and the counting is fast. Let's lobby hard to use this method in electing the next leader of the Liberal Party and the next government of Canada.

I will use a future post to describe the advantage of using STV based on my experiences in Don Valley West.

Dion and Kosovo: Uh oh?

2008-02-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

Looking back, Stephane Dion may have put his foot in his mouth by making a statement about Kosovo prematurely.

What the US and the Big Three European states (Britain, France, and Germany) did was recognized a unilateral declaration of independence by the Kosovo parliament. This is the equivalent of recognizing a similar declaration of Pauline Marois' Parti Quebecois government once it wins a majority in the National Assembly. No referendum, nothing.

The prime mover of the Clarity Act should have thought more clearly. Yes, Dion had supported the right of Quebec to secede through a referendum and negotiations. By supporting Kosovo independence while Marois' people are popping champagne bottles at the same time seem to be a bit premature.

P.S. I will be waiting for Dion to write one of his op-eds on the legitimacy of Tetovo to separate from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

It is time for the National Post to put up or shut down

2008-02-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

“Regardless of whether Jyllands-Posten at the time used freedom of speech unwisely and with damaging consequences, the paper deserves unconditional solidarity when it is threatened with terror,” it (the editorial for Politiken) said.

Politiken is the liberal newspaper in Copenhagen. It refused to publish the Mohammad with the turban cartoon the first time around. They did so this time as a result of this so-called plot to murder the Danish cartoonist.

Having considered this fact in light of this information, I now believe that all major newspapers in Canada should do publish these cartoons. This is in defence of free expression. We must not allow the examples of Theo Van Gogh, Salman Rushdie, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali be prevalent in a freedom loving democratic societies such as the ones we enjoy in Western Europe and North America.

So Ezra Levant, you are a jerk of the nth degree. Along with Kate McMillan and Kathy Shaidle. The only consolation is that you live in the same country as I do. Because of this, I will defend your freedom of expression even though it f*&%ing pains me to. You all deserve the same rights as Irshad Manji and Tarek Fatah.

Finally kudos to Erik Abbink for addressing this issue in blogosphere http://abbink.blogspot.com/2008/02/muhammad-cartoons-reprinted-in-danmark.html. Unlike the other three blowhards who have been hired by the National Putz.

Local fundraising event

2008-02-11T18:29:00.000-08:00

For those of you in the Toronto area. This is an event to look forward to for a good cause. Hope to see you there

____________________________________________________________________

Valentine’s FUNDRAISER FOR MAO FAMILY

Musical Memorial Reception, Fundraiser draw, Valentine’s theatrical

A community fundraiser with themes of the heart - Love, laughs & tears!

Wednesday, February 13th - 7PM
Tickets only $20.00 each: Reserve tickets by email or phone:
email: fundraiserformaofamily@gmail.com or 416-888-4268

All profits go to family of slain Riverdale worker William Mao.

Doors open Upstairs 6:30 Musical Memorial: 7PM (cash bar)
7:30: Special appearance by Canadian soprano, acclaimed
opera singer, Susan Tsagkaris.

Susan, also a local resident, has generously donated her time and talent to
this worthy cause. She will perform an aria by Puccini plus a special musical
tribute of “There will be Peace”, dedicated to the memory of Mr. Mao.
Susan’ s powerful, touching delivery will be the highlight of the evening - tears optional.

7PM: Musical Memorial & Fundraising draw

Opening the Musical Memorial Reception hour will be the amazing talents of
Anne-Marie and Garry Page with some Love-themed jazz - Anne-Marie shares her
superb keyboard with Garry on horn. Professional musicians and talented teachers,
they made special schedule arrangements to appear in support of the Mao Family.

DRAW: Fundraising draw tickets will be on sale between 6:30 and 7:45 PM with
all funds going to Mao Family Trust. Prizes donated by local businesses.

8PM: Cabbagetown Theatre presents “No Sweetheart Required”
A series of very short, very funny plays loosely based on love -- or the lack thereof!
“No Sweetheart Required” is sizzling, hot theatre!” ... the Toronto Star

Location: Upstairs at Whistler’s - 995 Broadview Ave at Pottery Rd

All welcome - Reserve tickets now - limited tickets at door.

sponsored and hosted by
Toronto Danforth Liberals (Provincial & Federal)
A Fundraiser for the community. This is not a political event

Kung Hay Fat Choy

2008-02-07T06:09:00.001-08:00

Wishing all Libloggers and Progressive Bloggers a very prosperous Year of the Rat.

An alternative to the Manley report

2008-02-05T23:37:00.000-08:00

Given that Prime Minister Harper is willing to go to the polls over an extension to the Afghan mission, I am quite confident that the Opposition are now closer than ever in finding a consensus. For those Grit caucus members and party members who support John Manley, we are not going to go back to the policies which led to the disasters in the 2004 and 2006 elections!!!!

This is what I think the Opposition party leaders should support with regards to Afghanistan. It is based on the Norwegian proposals that will be brought forth in the Defence Ministers meeting in Vilnius.

- The United Nations should be given clear responsibility for coordination of all operations in Afghanistan.

- The UN's work in the field should be coordinated with the regional protection groups.

- Military planning should adhere to civilian strategies.

- Military planning should be built up around the regional operations.

- Concrete steps should be taken to strengthen the regional authorities.

The full article is here http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2213740.ece

This is similar to Layton's aim of transferring Canada's role in Afghanistan into a UN peacekeeping mission. I think he is now realizing that a total withdrawal for 2009 is not realistic.

Given the willingness of some of our more progressive NATO allies in finding a way forward instead of blindly following the US approach to Afghanistan that is leading nowhere, the Opposition party leaders need to realize that there are many countries who are waiting for them to present a clear alternative of prosecuting George W. Bush's War on Terror. It is now time for them not to let peace loving Canadians and our NATO allies down.

Bring it on

2008-02-05T20:27:00.001-08:00

Since most Grit bloggers are busy paying attention to Super Tuesday results, a major development in Canadian politics, has emerged.

It seems our Prime Minister is raring to go to the polls over Afghanistan. Yes, we can't choose which issue the government will fall on. There is nothing to say right now, but for me to organize a quick nomination meeting in our riding and get the office space rented.

CTV and Globe are the first to get the word out
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080205/dion_harper_AM_080205/20080205?hub=TopStories.
Expect the buses to be rolling by Monday in the earliest and the first attack ads this weekend.

Obama, Huckabee and the Politics of Authenticity

2008-01-07T23:47:00.000-08:00

This blogpost is about the Politics of Authenticity. It is influenced by the success of Obama and to a lesser extent Huckabee. In my previous posts, I had hinted that he was someone who one should pay attention to in the Iowa caucus. Huckabee went on to win it convincingly on the GOP side.

One book to consider in dealing with this topic is Douglas Rossinow's "The Politics of Authenticity: Liberalism, Christianity, and the New Left in America." Note that in Obama's speeches, there is a Christian and moral tone involved which calls for a return to the ideals of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. RFK and Martin Luther King are not "new" politicians per se. Neo-conservatives will have a field day attacking Democrats for re-hashing the tax and spend policies of the 1960s. However, the political discourse in 2008 has changed to the point that a New Left needs to emerge. This time it is the Americans that are the standard bearers of this new ideology.

RFK and Martin Luther King represent the American New Left in the 1960s as they seek to repudiate the more radical social movements at that era. The American New Left has to incorporate liberal and Christian as these values represent a counter against socialism, radicalism, and black separatism. Compare this to the Third Way politics of Clinton, Blair, and Chretien which supports centre left policies to balance socialism on the left and conservatism on the right. Third Way policies are ignostic on the whole and is dependent on pragmatism. Politicians do not have to have to reveal their authentic self, as policies are measured against alternatives. The authentic politician of the New Left must reveal their beliefs and public service becomes an existential journey.

Christian existentialism is present in Obama's and Huckabee's personal journeys and shape their roles in public life. As American politicians, they see Christian existentialism as the authenticity ideal, seeing it as central to the values of individuality and independence prevalent in American society. In Canada, the Politics of Authenticity needs to be consistent with a social reform ideal. A radical manifesto needs to be a political outcome, one that seeks to overcome the shortcomings of social structures. The need for a radical manifesto in social reform will be considered in future blogposts, as it may be the crucial element in helping the political left regain power.

We need an Alliance of Civilizations, not more War on Terror

2007-12-27T23:52:00.000-08:00

I know that the events of yesterday has led to feelings of sad and grief. But at this time of mourning, it is important that we work hard to engage in peaceful solutions which seeks to overcome the hatred that seems to permeate our world in recent years.

Fortunately, the work for peaceful solutions do exist and is possible if we engaged in a continual dialogue to foster a greater understanding of civilizations.

One such project is the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations http://www.unaoc.org/. An initiative co-sponsored by Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, it seeks to overcome the differences and grievances which promote the causes of conflict through dialogue and creating a fairer world. It will hold its First Annual Forum in Madrid on January 15, 2008. In the turbulent world of today, it is encouraging to see that there are some world leaders willing to go outside the box and find solutions to lessen tensions beyond the War of Terror in which we are supposedly participating in.

Since Canada is a pluralistic and multicultural society, there is no doubt in my mind that we need to be a forerunner in this initiative. I will hope that Stephane Dion and Bob Rae take this into consideration when the recommendations for the Manley report comes out sometime next month.

I am sorry

2007-12-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Contrary to the optimism that the Western media has placed on Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan, she cannot help the West win the War on Terror. In many ways, the Pakistan People's Party, Pervez Musharraf, and the political elites in this nation state have been the problem which exacerbated the roots in this war on terror.

I don't see a former PM who has been dismissed twice for corruption as a viable of a solution for stability. Pakistan is a failed state where the majority of the poor do not vote and the only form of social welfare is the fundamentalist madrassas. If not for the nuclear bomb, then Pakistan does not deserve the realpolitik solutions proposed by the US. In fact, the social problems there have helped to perpetuate the grievances in which the War on Terror has occurred.

Besides the madrassas, another form of social welfare is to work as a taxi driver in the urban centres of Canada. There the Pakistani immigrant is forced to support his extended family in light of racist taunts from drunks stumbling out of bars and physical threats from robbers who steal their meagre earnings. They return home and struggle to cope with the pressures of daughters facing peer pressure from a secular, liberal society and sons with fewer employment opportunities due to discrimination and pressures to help their family. To the young males, the alternative to a life of taxi driving is the fantasized world of the jihadi. Yes, Robert De Niro's Taxi Driver do exist in many global forms. All this leads to legitimate grievances in the Islamic World which help fuel the War on Terror.

To this date, there are no solutions to create a fairer world in which the root causes of the War on Terror can be eliminated. Stephen Harper can blame the Liberals all his likes, extend the Afghan mission to 2015, and blame the lack of cultural integration in Mississauga in order to rally Canadians in winning the War on Terror. If these are what he is proposing, then we might as well cut our losses and go home. The question we should be asking is not "Has Harper not protect Canadians enough from the War on Terror?" It should be "we cannot end the War on Terror until we make significant gains in creating a fairer and just world for all of humanity."

Happy Christmas

2007-12-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

In keeping of the need to have a green and environmentally friendly Christmas season, I will introduce you to one of my favourite festive songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP_WH4heId4

Definitely a better version than the one done by the Spice Girls

Check this out

2007-12-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

I don't support people taking drugs. The side-effects of illicit drugs are much more harmful than consuming it. I can blog on about how mood altering drugs have damaged the mental health of psychiatric patients etc. However, it seems that I have a namesake with a website. While the namesake is not a LPC member, this is worth checking.

Note: This is for adults only. Please keep your teenage kids away from this website. Thanks.
http://www.shroomery.org/

UPDATE: On the political front, Harper has called the four by-elections for March 17. The late date means that he fully expects the House to fall before that date. A general election will probably occur on March 17 or a week or two afterwards.

We should increase the GST to 23 per cent

2007-12-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

A preposterous argument that is slowly gaining steam going into the Iowa caucus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Tax

Note that it isn't crazy theo-cons such as Mike Huckabee that is supporting it. Mike Gravel, the Ron Paul figure of the Democrats, has recruited Boston University economist Laurence Kotlikoff as an economic advisor for his campaign. Kotlikoff has argued that the social programs which we enjoy in our present day are in peril if we fail to fund it properly.

Mike Huckabee stuck in the 70s

2007-12-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

More of Mike Huckabee jamming with Barry Goudreau in New Hampshire. Note the weird obsession of the 1970s with Lynyrd Skynyrd and other stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxV5t1FwQRY&feature=related

Getting ready to roll

2007-12-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

Stephane Dion has been spreading the word that we need to be in election mode next year. So my post will consider the logistics of a February election, noting that there will be four by-elections in seats vacated by Liberal MPs. Bill Graham left the House effective July 2. The by-election needs to be called six months to this date.

To show that Dion is serious for a February election, I suggest that he make a half serious attempt to pull the plug before Christmas. This means advancing a motion of non-confidence in the next Liberal Opposition day. If Harper takes the bait, then it is game on and a February election becomes a reality. At the same time, Dion should also offer the NDP an incentive to defeat Harper knowing full well that if Layton refuses to take the bait, he will be punished at the campaign trail. The incentives must be something Layton cannot refuse knowing full well that his supporters will punish him at the polls. It will have to be substantive like a referendum for electoral reform, implementation of a carbon tax on polluters etc. Getting Layton on board also allows Dion to use procedural tactics to undermine Harper as in cutting supply to cripple Parliament. Note that in a minority situation, Dion can also have a right to form government after a vote of non-confidence if he can get the other parties to support a new Throne Speech. Harper can also form a new coalition government if he can muster enough votes in the House.

With regards to the by-elections, Dion may as well tell both Rae and Hall Findlay to forget about them and use the next few weeks on the unofficial campaign trail to get the message across nationally. This also leads to another factor. If the Grits want the government to fall within the next couple of weeks, it will not hurt to make some policy announcements before the writ is dropped. Then you can drop the whole caboodle once the campaign is on to build momentum.

Given these possibilities, Harper may feel that it will be better to fall on the crime omnibus bill than avoid the humiliation of a non-confidence motion on climate change. He has the right to do that since he is the present governing Prime Minister. However, defeating a Prime Minister in Parliament requires gumption and bold leadership. The Stephane Dion that stared down Quebec separatists had that. In what will probably be the most important political fight of his career, Dion will have to demonstrate these characteristics in order to lead us to victory.

UPDATE: There will be a vote on the tax cuts as early as tomorrow. I am a supporter of them and the idea of given people a few extra dollars for Christmas. However, I believe that to defeat Harper it may be necessary to put off these tax cuts. With discussions of national pharacare being implemented in the background, I don't think tax cuts will match our election agenda. So Stephane should simply tell caucus that the Grits will vote against them and defeat the government.

Mike Huckabee rocks

2007-12-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIDGZDrq0-E

No wonder why this dude is leading in Iowa. Is being supported by Barry Goudreau of Boston in New Hampshire.

G'day Prime Minister Rudd

2007-11-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. It took the Australian Labour Party eleven years, three elections, and four leadership changes. Hope the Liberal Party of Canada doesn't have to wait that long.

Before we jump for joy, one needs to consider Rudd's success. So here are my points:

1. What went wrong with Kim Beazley, Simon Crean, and Mark Latham? Aussie Labour elected a leader that came from the Labour Right faction. As Shadow Foreign Secretary, he had insisted on maintaining the US-Australia alliance and fought with Latham over troop withdrawals from Iraq.

2. The electoral system in Australia makes it difficult for third parties to get elected. That is why Instant Run-off Voting is a big no for me. To win power, the Labour left factions had to swallow Kevin Rudd. He may be telegenic and smart enough to be PM, but he is not Paul Keating and certainly not Gough Whitlam.

3. Kevin Rudd came from Queensland. He was the Chief of Staff to the Premier for liberalizing a state which is by far Australia's most conservative. Electing a Labour PM from Queensland is the equivalent of having a Liberal PM from Alberta and Saskatchewan. No wonder Aussie Labour had to wait eleven years.

So these are some simple lessons one should get from the Kevin Rudd election. Good on him, but it is quickly apparent that Kevin Rudd is not Stephane Dion and certainly not Jack Layton.

A fairer electoral proposal for Ontario

2007-11-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

There is now a proposal out in Parliament to increase the number of seats in the House of Commons. If approved, this proposal will weaken Ontario's representation.

Since Stephane Dion has mused about electoral reform, I have devised an alternative proposal that may help to address the concern of Ontarians with regards to the addition of seats. Knowing my preference, it will involve changing Canada's Parliament into a unicameral legislature using mixed member proportional representation (MMP). The gist of my argument is as follows:

Ontario will get 32 more seats to move up to 140.

Quebec gets 25 more seats to move up to 100.

BC gets 18 more seats to move up to 52.

Alberta gets 10 more seats to move up to 38.

This would be an addition of 86. Half will be elected by constituency, half will be by province wide closed lists. Point of contention, but this is the best solution.

So it will be 70-70 for Ontario.

So it will be 50-50 for Quebec.

So it will be 26-26 for BC.

So it will be 19-19 for Alberta.

This will be coupled with the abolishment of the Senate. The seats in the other provinces stay the same with half of them elected by closed lists. There may need to be an adjustment for Manitoba and Nova Scotia, but the over-representation in PEI stands as a sore thumb (I suggest, 2 constituency-2 list under the new system).

I will be revising this proposal to take into consideration the other provinces or any discrepanies with regards to the balance of Canada's population.

UPDATE: Thanks to Josh Gould for informing me of the additional seats Saskatchewan gets in comparison to Nova Scotia. This is how I will fix this:

Saskatchewan and NS will now get the same number of seats 14 (7 constituency and 7 list).

Why Harper is evil (or where can Stock Day get a Karcher)

2007-11-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

This is a post that will not say that the Prime Minister has a secret agenda. I have said repeatedly he does not.

What I am pointing to today is the need to challenge his so-called Christian Democratic agenda. Not the George W. Bush one, we are not in Iraq but a much more scarier one that is dominating the democratic world.

Note the results of the Swiss federal election this year:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_federal_election,_2007

That the Swiss People's Party got close to 30 per cent of the vote is disturbing. It supports a construction ban on minarets and a "Federal Popular Initiative for the Deportation of Criminal Foreigners".

Today the right wing coalition in Denmark was re-elected for the third time http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_parliamentary_election,_2007

The ruling coalition government led by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a Liberal, will govern with the centre right Christian Democrats. However, all confidence measures will be supported by the far right Danish People's Party. Besides loving the Muhammad cartoons, these are the policies which are offered:

To drastically reduce immigration, especially on non-western immigrants
To improve conditions for the elderly
To oppose a reduction of Denmark's sovereignty by the EU
To maintain the monarchy, and the current Danish constitution
Stricter punishments on rape, violence and reckless driving (including forced chemical castration of several offenders)
To oppose a multiethnic Danish society
Grants for specific research into terrorism, islamism and cold-war history
To continue the current status of the National Church

Some of these policies would be useful for Harper in a campaign trail. In fact, besides tax cuts what can the Cons offer the voting populace?

The sad thing is that the Social Democrats in Denmark have been gradually losing support. Flexicurity, the word used to promote a liberalization of the labour markets, has led to the emergence of the present centre right coalition. The Social Democrats are now increasingly being challenged by the more left wing Socialist People's Party. With the Danish People's Party holding the balance of power, the left has not been able to challenge the right recently. As a result, to defend the cradle to grave welfare state, the centre right has been adopting the "boat is full" rhetoric prominent for the Danish People's Party. Denmark now has the strictest immigration policy in Europe.

Some will argue that Canada's multicultural policies will prevent the emergence of these far right populist policies. Yet, the rise of the right was a direct effect of the unpopularity of left wing voters with the neoliberal policies by centre left parties in the Western world. As the Greens and the Dippers seek to challenge the Grits in Canada, Harper can maintain his broad coalition of former Progressive Conservative, Reform, and Canadian Alliance supporters. Since the Liberals have liberalized the economy, what can Harper's Cons offer to distinguish themselves from the previous government? One should note that Mike Harris and Ralph Klein were successful politicians when Jean Chretien was Prime Minister. Thus a Liberal government in Ottawa did not help to resolve the social tensions that became apparent when more market friendly policies were pursued.

The result is the ascension of Harper's Christian Democratic agenda. One that has been prevalent in most democratic countries of which Canada is one. So far, the democratic left in the Western world are struggling to overcome this phenomenon. The Grits are not alone.

What now for the Saskatchewan left?

2007-11-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

With the Sask Liberals shut out of the Legislature in the last provincial election, a post-mortem is needed.

One can trace the problem of the Sask Liberals to these two events:

The failure of Lynda Haverstock seeing herself as a Gordon Campbell type Liberal once the Sask Tories were on the verge of oblivion ie. VanderZalm Socreds. Otherwise, the Sask Libs would have been the centre right alternative to Romanow-Calvert.

The second was the failure to ballot the party membership once Roy Romanow offered the Cabinet posts to the SaskLibs. It could have been sold as a necessary coalition to keep the Sask Party in power from executing its far right agenda. The result was a party split which lead to no seats being won in 2007.

As I said in a comment to Buckdog's post:

Lynda Haverstock came to power as part of the Meech Lake debate in the late 1980s, like Sharon Carstairs. An intelligent spokesperson against Mulroney's national unity project from the West while rejecting the alienation concept proposed by Preston Manning and Stephen Harper. However, once Chretien became PM in 1993, she became increasingly out of touch. It was a shame because she could have remake herself as a Gordon Campbell like politician.

Still, a centrist alternative to the Sask Party and the NDP exists in which the Sask Libs can exploit. Although it would require changing the electoral system to proportional representation. In the short term, the party's fortunes will depend on how the Sask Dippers shape themselves after Lorne Calvert steps down.

I have strong sympathies for the Sask Dippers. This was based on a meeting I had with Allan Blakeney in 1990. The success of the Romanow-Calvert administration was based on the adoption of the Third Way strategy which called for fiscal responsibility while maintaining the social welfare state. It was this move that also weakened the Sask Libs. How can you run against an agenda which was supported openly by your federal counterparts? With the NDP in opposition, there will be calls from the grass roots to move the party to the left. It may be inevitable given that the Romanow-Mackinnon faction of the Sask Dippers will be strongly recruited by Dion's Liberals for the next election. Either one of them would be my preferred choice if Dion was forced to fall on his sword. So the Sask Dippers should make their decision wisely because you guys are fair game and critical for the Western Canada breakthrough the Grits need in the next election.

My word of advice. The Saskatchewan NDP re-branded itself in the 1970s as a corporatist party. A corporatist province was created that was able to harness its rich resources into Canada's version of Norway. The next leader needs to avoid the populist discourse of Tommy Douglas and talk more about using the profits of Saskatchewan's oil, potash, and energy revenues into creating a heritage savings fund similar to the one in Alberta. Words like social enterprise, sustainable communities, rural revitalization, and electoral reform will need to be in the vocabulary. Otherwise, the Dippers may end up sounding like Jack Layton pandering for votes. An agenda based on lower ATM fees does not make a future government leader.

They died in Hell

2007-11-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

"I died in Hell
(they called it Passchendaele); my wound was slight
and I was hobbling back; and then a shell
burst slick upon the duckboards; so I fell
into the bottomless mud, and lost the light"

This was Siegfried Sassoon's poem Memorial Tablet written in November 1918 from the collection War Poems. I had posted this on a previous blogpost in April of this year as a celebration of the 90th anniversary of Vimy and to note the cultural imperialism of this event.

90 years ago on November 10, the Canadian Corps took Passchendaele with a casualty cost of 16,000 lives. The poem written by Sassoon portrays the horrific nature of war and the uselessness of the tactics employed by the Allies fighting for one square mile of mud. That the Germans took back the Ypres salient by March 1918 showed the insignificance of waging a significant campaign there for three years.

A Canadian feature film on Passchendaele will be released in Remembrance Day next year.

UPDATE: This is what I posted as a comment to Red Tory's blog as a response to Small Dead Animals' recent diatribe on the Toronto Star.

"While I was doing grad work in the UK, a colleague was doing a class on poetry of the First World War. I showed him a copy of "In Flanders Fields" and he dismissed it out of hand, particularly the second stanza. Compared to the modernist verse of Issac Rosenberg and the evolution of Siegfried Sassoon's poetry, it can be dismissed as Rupert Brooke imperialism.

This is a problem I have with Canada and Remembrance Day. Canadians treat the First World War as nation building through blood while others consider this as the evils of imperial rule. I am still asking why have the Aussies and the Kiwis got different lessons from Gallipoli and we haven't?"

Dion comes to York South Weston

2007-11-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

York South Weston. Second poorest riding in Ontario. Have known the riding well due to the Laura Albanese provincial campaign. Stephane Dion will give his speech on cutting poverty rates.

It is hosted by the Learning Enrichment Foundation. Located in the Mount Dennis area, which has faced tough times due to the closing of the Kodak Canada film factory. Passed by the rubble. Remarked to a friend that Dion should give his speech outside with high rise buildings in the background. Similar to Rush's "A Farewell to Kings".

In his speech, Dion set a benchmark to cut poverty rates by 30 per cent and child poverty by 50 per cent by 2013. He also met with the Community Economic Development network partners to discuss a plan to meet these goals.

These network partners have reasonable goals which are quite affordable. It requires

Reforming Federal Child Benefits, EI, and Pension programs.

Shift Tax Structure to Benefit Low Income Canadians. Tax cuts can be incorporated into this objective.

Generate a comprehensive Social Housing Spending Program for Low-Income Canadians. This means providing incentives for interested low income families to move out of tower blocks into the suburbs where their children can go to better schools.

Support Employment Development through Community Economic Development (CED) Approaches to Poverty Reduction. The buzz word here is "social enterprise" or "social capital" (something Gerard Kennedy has talked about in his leadership campaign). A proposal being branded would be to implement an RRSP eligible CED Tax Credit. Helps to put money into local investment funds. I also noticed that there was a representative of the Toronto Board of Trade there and it would not be a stretch if companies like Investors Group and Mackenzie do come on board.

Peggy Nash and Paul Ferriera came in to watch Dion's speech. I spoke to one person who accompanied them. He told me that what people in York South Weston want is a job, not community development nor social enterprise. However, Kodak is not coming back but digital graphic design is in. What is wrong with giving someone a computer workplace inside the Learning Enrichment Foundation where he or she can have a head start?

I know that Cam Holmstrom at Peterborough Politics will continue to have a go at me. The link is here http://cameronholmstrom.blogspot.com/2007/11/is-recycling-policy-good-for.html. Like the NDP supporter I met at Dion's talk, there needs to be a recognition between a job and enterprise. We are now living in a post-industrial world. Social inclusion means access to community based networks, investing in sustainable communities, and building enterprising careers. Dion has listened today and he will take these to heart. The result will help to balance his other two pillars through cleaner local communities and more well paid careers.

I will even mention that a short term proposal for the land in which the Kodak factory was situated would be a retail power centre. No wonder the Dippers in Toronto are desperate for the ten dollar minimum wage now. A long term goal would be getting the zoning laws changed so a part of the Kodak factory can be revived. I have a love for a local media arts centre and the building is still in workable condition http://www.mikesjournal.com/May%202007/kodak_plant_toronto_may_21.htm

What Dion will get today from his visit to Mount Dennis besides promising to reform federal social programs is that things such as community development and social enterprise is the best way to cut poverty rates. Since our economic books are rock solid, the money it will cost the Federal Government can still leave a comfortable surplus and support tax cuts. My challenge to the NDP bloggers is this. Let's focus on the future and start having a discussion of what community development and social enterprise will mean. Then we can work together and build a progressive Canada that is more fair and just.

Mme Marois, you are not reasonable!!!!

2007-11-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

This is a diatribe which is based on my comments in Confessions of a Liberal Mind.

Why are the Pequistes trying to follow Mario Dumont and Stephen Harper and stoke up the reasonable accomodation debate? At the same time, criticize Saku Koivu for not speaking French.

I will start with this question. Is it Pauline Marois' fault that there are fewer French Canadian kids interested in playing hockey? Yes, you can mention the declining birth rate among the pure laine francophonie and the founding nations of Canada. At the same time, the separatists have poisoned the hockey culture in Quebec to the extent that the best French Canadian hockey player will not play for the Habs.

Patrick Roy? Gone to Colorado and won 2 Stanley Cups there.

Mario Lemieux? Has settled comfortably in Pittsburgh, with its lower taxes.

Martin Brodeur? Will probably retire as a New Jersey Devil.

Vincent Lecavalier? The hero of all French Canadian snowbirds on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Add to that the movement of the Quebec Nordiques to the Denver area because the Pequistes have no interest in keeping the team there. The high dollar means that the NHL may move back, but once Mme Marois' gang wants to leave Canada, the Board of Governors will say hell no.

What is the result of these unreasonable policies? Montreal now has a captain from Finland whose second language is English. Even the Maghrebi and the new so-called francophonie immigrants speak English in Montreal, although they can speak French as well as they can converse in Berber or Arabic. The Canadiens are a long way away from their glory days because it is just too difficult to run a hockey club with the high taxes in Quebec.

Reasonable accomodation means chasing Koivu out of the Bell Centre. It means the migration of Maghrebi and francophonie immigrants out of Montreal and into Toronto. The Habs drought of not winning the Stanley Cup will continue. Maybe the Leafs will win the Cup sooner than the Habs, as long as the Buds get a new General Manager.

Ronald Allen Smith is Harper's Willie Horton?

2007-11-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

Stephen Harper has a hidden agenda? This is what most centre right governments thrive on to gain legitimacy with the public.

A perfect wedge issue to separate the centre right from its opponents in the politics of the post-Cold War since Harpo wants to fall on the crime omnibus bill.

Ronald Allen Smith has the potential to be the next Willie Horton. Con MPs were openly taunting Dion for being soft on crime today.

The ad makers for the Conservative machine are salivating. A Dion like figure carrying a knapsack letting criminals out of a revolving door. "Stephane Dion is soft on crime. Stephane Dion is not a leader" it will consistently blare out on our TV screens. Being the moralistic bunch, Conservative MPs will praise the "just" execution of murderers in the US and perhaps drug traffickers in Singapore, but would cry outrage when a nurse gets sentenced to the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

This is Stephen Harper's politics at its best. No, it is not original. The Bushes have used it, Nicholas Sarkozy has used it, John Howard has used it, Edmund Stoiber has used it, Jorg Haider has used it, and Christoph Blocher has used it. When you are an incumbent you sound like you are defending public safety. Otherwise, you may come across as a disciple of Jean Marie Le Pen and Tom Tancredo.

Time for Dion to draw a line in the sand

2007-10-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Given the economic statement will be made tomorrow, it is time for Dion to stop playing defence and throw a gauntlet.

I will define what is the poison pill for tomorrow and where to draw the line in the sand. In fact, Dion will be smart to goad Harper into it by saying there will be a non-confidence motion.

It is income splitting.

Garth Turner has supported it. However, if Flaherty proposes it without addressing any substantial benefit for single parent families such as implementing a Guarantee Annual Income, then this Parliament session needs to be declared dead and buried. Otherwise, income splitting will be considered a tax benefit for wealthy Bay Street executives.

Also kudos to Blast Furnace for proposing an alternative solution. Even though it seems too complicated and supports Flaherty's tinkering tax credit policies, it deserves a look
http://blastfurnacecanada.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-suggestions-for-tax-cuts.html.

One Man Band

2007-10-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

It seems that Harper has thrown the gauntlet on the reasonable accomodation debate. See the link below
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071026.wveil26/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071026.wveil26

Let's bring in literary tests at the polling booth at the same time.

Okay, so paper bag man can't vote but Nash the Slash can. I got that.

Dion needs to think twice on electoral reform

2007-10-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

This is in response to Dion's musings in Winnipeg. Kudos for Scott Tribe in bringing this up. The link is here http://scottdiatribe.gluemeat.com/2007/10/22/proof-electoral-reform-isnt-dead-part-2-dion-supports-preferential-ballot/.

I have said this before. Anything Dion says in support of Instant Run Off Voting (IRV) and Alternative Vote (AV) are a no-go for me. He will fall into a trap that Harper lays into him.

As Steve Withers said to me last week after the Ontario referendum result, IRV and AV would justify the need for a Senate elected by Single Transferable Vote to make Parliament become accountable. It also allows the Cons to split easily between the moderate ones and the social ones AND regain power more easily (note the Liberal-National Alliance in Australia). This is something that Harper and Tom Flanagan were proposing in the dark days of the Canadian Right in the 1990s. With AV, the House of Commons becomes severely weakened as power needs to be devolved to provinces since firewalls become more prevalent. A Senate becomes use by the provinces to stop endless majority governments since it will be the centre right brokerage parties that benefit.

Look, Single Transferable Vote is not that sexy either. Witness the problems the more moderate Fine Gael party in gaining power against the more Conservative Fianna Fail. No wonder the abortion laws have not been liberalized in Ireland. Poland conducted a parliamentary election yesterday and two right of centre parties competed well using the closed list d'Hondt proportional representation voting system.

Electoral reform is something the party needs to consider when drafting policies for the next election. Liberals are divided on this issue and our party is not that effective when listening to the grassroots. This creates difficulties for a leader who is trying hard to solidify his hold on his party by consensus. Yet, a rupture with the party brass may be necessary in order to create a more vibrant political institution that can win power in the future. If there is a rupture, let it be on bold policies on implementing electoral reform.

Blast from the Past and the Second Cold War

2007-10-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

The people at Notes from the Underground have put Somebody Got Murdered from Sandinista! on You Tube.

I will post this link instead. The first single from that album. The message is poignant at a time when the music video first came to the scene.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1841747780

Note the reggae and two tone influence on this song. True genre breakers in music, The Clash.

My mouth is sore

2007-10-17T13:56:00.001-07:00

I had just got off watching CBC Newsworld.

Dion just proposed an amendment which forces the Dippers to accept an end to the Kandahar mission in 2009 with no benchmarks. Also the Dippers will have to swallow the repeal of taxes on income trusts and large corporate tax reductions.

I am biting my tongue on this one. Real hard after wanting desperately for income redistribution policies.

The blame cannot be on the rowdy Liberal caucus alone. It seems that there are people inside the Office of the Leader of the Opposition who believes that the concept of Liberals as a tax cutting party has traction.

This at a time when John Howard and the Republicans are running 20 points behind the centre left parties!!!!! When our neighbours to the south are crying for progressive policies to end the disparity of income in the economy since the emergence of Reaganomics.

Over in Europe, centre left parties are failing to gain traction. This is due to buying into the free market restructuring of their economies that will leave European states with policies that will make a Dipper as Idealistic Pragmatist cry tears of joy. Here in Ottawa, the Liberal Party do not have any notion to entertain these progressive policies. For them it is just restore the tax break on income trusts so the ordinary voter can have more retirement income.

How is this going to help the single mother earning $8.25 an hour at the Zellers down the Wal-Mart?

Stephane Dion, at least there is a table waiting for you at the Cambridge Club in downtown Toronto. You and sit there and chat with John Turner. While there, might as well recall the good times you two have at Stornoway. You will enjoy it.

Dion needs to reveal his policies now

2007-10-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

I agree with Koby over at the blog The Maple Three. Dion has been quite secretive with regards to policy. No red books, no propositions, no contracts with the Canadian people. Not good with an election in the horizon.

Koby has a few issues that Dion needs to focus on. For everyone of them, we agree that business as usual cannot work. There needs to be a political rupture with past Liberal governments. Thus, these are my comments to his policy platforms, some of which I have been proposing in the past few days.

Atlantic Accord: Dion accepted it, he lives with it.

Kyoto: Dion can go with Iggy's carbon tax. Otherwise, he will have to sell the emission targets idea on the campaign trail. However, his focus cannot be on these targets alone as he will be called a one trick pony. We all want a greener Canada, do we want a more just and fairer Canada?

Early childhood education: The Grits are now noted for creating major programs and not funding them properly. I prefer enacting social policies that would set a goal ie. cutting poverty rates by one-third by 2015. Thus the focus should be on social inclusion.

Afghanistan: It is now time to pursue benchmarks. Dion may need to be bold and suggest that all troops must leave this country by 2009. This limits our traditional peacekeeping role in places such as Darfur.

Kelowna Accord: This will be Paul Martin's failed legacy. I would prefer to focus on land claim issues and make sure that situations such as Caledonia gets resolved instead of allowing it to fester.

Deep Corporate Tax Cuts: I prefer income distribution not through taxing corporations but by imposing a Solidarity Tax on Wealth.

Of course, there is my pet topic: electoral reform, a referendum called within one hundred days of a Dion government. It will be Mixed Member Proportional Representation of course.

Note that all Liberal leaders have become Prime Ministers with the exception of Edward Blake. This is a legacy for Canada's natural ruling party to follow. These policy ideas I mentioned above may prove crucial in the renewal process of our party.

The point of no return

2007-10-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have now changed my mind as to why I will be encouraging Stephane Dion of needing to bring down Harper's government as soon as possible. The Throne Speech was disappointing, even though there is no poison pill. However, there is now a difference and it is the psychological factor.

Dion wants to go to the polls. He believes an election can rally his beleaguered leadership. He can't go into caucus tomorrow and concede to the nervous nellies. At the same time, it will be a shock to Harper if Dion says to the Canadian public that he wants an election now.

Make no mistake, this is not an optimal solution. But a leader needs political instincts and Dion wants to go to the polls. Like his mentor Chretien, instincts are what make or break successful political leaders. This is why Dion has probably crossed the point of no return this afternoon from what was said in caucus. He has hinted on staking his whole credibility on an election. We should just respect his decision.

More importantly, Stephane, make sure you have some policies. I suggest you need about 100 propositions. A good start would be in calling for hard targets to eliminate child poverty by 2015, a Guaranteed Annual Income, a Solidarity Tax on Wealth, and a referendum on proportional representation within 100 days of a Dion government. Note that I have made a commitment to work on Gerard Kennedy's campaign at Parkdale-High Park. Don't disappoint me as your credibility is at stake.

A radical taxation policy for Dion

2007-10-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

I know that a few Dipper bloggers are attacking Dion for supporting major corporate tax cuts.

Rob Edger at Rob's Random Thoughts has made a link between corporate taxes and income taxes quite sensibly. The link is below:
http://robedger.blogspot.com/

Since it is my intention to convince Dippers to co-operate with us to defeat Harper, I will float this tax proposal.

I would support Dion lowering corporate tax rates to 12.5 per cent, a whopping six points more than Harper promise to do. But I will counter this by imposing a solidarity tax on wealth for people with assets over $700,000. There will be exemptions, of course and will do well to help Dion's progressive agenda.

The link of what a solidarity tax on wealth and how it can be implemented is listed below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarity_tax_on_wealth

Yes, this will mark the rupture from the Chretien-Martin era that many progressive Liberals want. These two policies combined together will show that progressives will be committed to both enterprise and income redistribution at the same time. It also attempts to move the political discourse beyond the class warfare rhetoric that has plagued the left in the past.

Hey, many Grit cadres may think I am off the wall. But defeating Harper requires us to think outside the box. This is merely one attempt.

Di Novo to replace Hampton?

2007-10-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is my response to Politique Vert with regards to the ten arguments with regards to Cheri Di Novo in replacing Howard Hampton. I respectfully disagree and my arguments are below.

1. The ONDP has never had a female leader. It’s way past time.

M: There are other qualified female candidates. Andrea Horwath, Frances Lankin, Marilyn Churley. The latter two may be out of provincial politics altogether though.

2. Cheri is smear-proof. The Liberals did their worst and it bounced right off her.

M: Parkdale-High Park does not represent all of Ontario. Blue collar roots do matter and a more conservative candidate may do well for union cadre party members.

3. She’s not embittered by the turf wars of old so maybe she can bring some fresh perspective to the party.

M: Most of the Dipper caucus do bring a fresh perspective. But again, the old perspective may appeal in a party convention ie. the popularity of someone such as Peter Kormos.

4. People are already thinking about her as the new leader whether anyone wants to talk about it openly or not so there could be momentum there.

M: I can also talk about Andrea Horwath in the same way.

5. The media loves her and she’s photogenic so maybe they won’t portray her the way they portray Howie as a raging loon.

M: See number 4.

6. She has no ties to big labour so maybe she’ll actually put environmental issues first. She has no ties to any of the usual NDP backers and can maybe bring some new blood into the party.

M: So does Peter Tabuns. But again ties to big labour do matter in a leadership race.

7. She’s not just a “white wine socialist” but has been an actual, hands-on poverty activist. People admire what she’s done with her life. While in political office, she’s proven herself to have true integrity. Donating her pay raise to charity was a super classy move that put many of her peers to shame.

M: So is Gerard Kennedy.

8. She’s got the same kind of street fighter toughness and smarts that took Jean Chretien pretty far in politics.

M: Credit is due for the $10 minimum wage campaign. If you want a street fighter, Peter Kormos is one I would not mess with in Welland-Thorold.

9. She’s a Liberal killer. Maybe she knows something Howie doesn’t about winning.

M: Defeating Sylvia Watson twice does not count as she was never in the Ontario Legislature. Not in the Jack Layton, Olivia Chow, Peggy Nash category.

10. She can walk softly and carry a big stick. She won’t alienate people and can duck that old socialist-communist stereotype. She has the potential to draw support from a wide spectrum of the population.

M: Who in the Dipper caucus in Queen's Park carry the socialist-communist stereotype these days and I don't put Peter Kormos in this category. At the same time, I am not a church goer and not sanctimonious. Can Cheri give me some of the acid she was selling to me?

Don't get me wrong. Cheri is effective for you Dippers. But for leader? Reminds me more of Audrey McLaughlin than Olivia Chow, let alone Carole James. With Paul Ferreira gone, I am pumping for Horwath, followed by Peter Kormos as an alternative. You will hear more from me about this.

Not ready for an election just yet

2007-10-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

I will respectfully disagree with some of my fellow Liberal bloggers on whether we should vote Harper's government down on the throne speech. The pressure is mounting and emotion is now getting away from rational thoughts. However, I am willing to make one last retreat before we take on Harper full force.

My argument goes like this. In the next election, the Liberals are arming themselves by encouraging some of their star candidates by going head to head against the Dippers!!!! Why do this when your enemy is PM Harper? Especially when your star candidates for party renewal are Gerard Kennedy, Penny Collenette, Anne Park Shannon, and Deborah Coyne. Should you be throwing them against John Baird, Gordon O'Connor, James Moore, and Jim Flaherty instead where you try to attack at the heart of Harper's frontline instead of taking out one of your valuable minority partners?

I would prefer to wait for a vote of confidence on an opposition day. Preferably one that is brought forth by the NDP on the Kyoto protocol. It is merely retreating so one can dig a trench to fight another day. I don't consider abstaining from the throne speech a surrender if you have the means to fight the battle on your own terms. The odds of this is diminishing but I believe that this is Dion's only trump card.

Dion needs to recognize that to become Prime Minister, he will need the support of Jack Layton. It pains me to say it, but the Outremont by-election shows that the Dippers New Politics Initiative is working. Back channel discussions with the Dippers need to begin as soon as possible. Layton needs to be convinced that he can no longer be Prime Minister and that the prospects of a Harper majority government will be much worse than being a senior minister in a Liberal-NDP coalition. I am merely preaching to the unconverted here, but what do I know about politics anyway? All I know is that after having fought too many windmills in numerous Liberal-NDP battles, I want to be chasing rainbows (Liberal-Green-NDP coalitions) if there is any reasonable hope for the politics of this country to move away from Harper's evil agenda. Just a rant from this Liberal sitting around my garden patch.

Howard Hampton and MMP

2007-10-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged much these days, but I feel I need to make this comment.

Kudos to Uncorrected Proofs (sorry, no link) for pointing out some facts between Howard Hampton's most successful ridings and MMP. It was a non-starter in some of the ridings in Northern Ontario where his message resonates the most.

My analysis is this. What you see with Howard Hampton's leadership is a dichotomy between the rural CCF affiliations strong in Fort Frances and Timmins against the New (Urban) Politics Initiative of Jack Layton. For N(U)PI to work, there needs to be a change in the electoral system as the goal is to be a standard bearer of progressive change, instead of letting the adaptable Liberals seize the centre left agenda. Thus, a movement towards MMP benefits them, no more clothes stealing from the evil Grits. On the other hand, Hampton's CCF approach relies on the polarization of Ontario politics in which it becomes the sole spokesperson of progressive change. In the past three elections, results have shown that while Hampton's message is increasingly popular, the returns have become disappointing to say the least.

Referendum post-mortem

2007-10-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

I will start off by saying this word "OUCH"!!!

This is my initial thought. The problems certain waverers have towards MMP have led me to become a proponent of STV. From the response of many progressive bloggers within our own party, I believe that voters want to tack a name on their election ballot instead of entertaining the notion of list candidates. This is due to the emerging disillusionment of political parties, particularly the major ones who are now so pragmatic and ruthless in maintaining power that they no longer represent the political ideas and interests of the electorate at large. As a result, you see lower turnout than ever particularly among the young who tend to vote much less.

During the campaign, I had made a promise to Scott Tribe and I intend to stand on my promise. I will step up and work harder to get Mixed Member Proportional representation implemented in the next two years before the BC Referendum. For the progressive politics I would like to see, there needs to see a change in politics in which political ideologies matter whether they be social conservative, liberal fundamentalist, or neo-marxist socialism. For this to happen political parties need to play a role in promoting change. Unfortunately, entrenched interests have led to the creation of cynical institutions that the electorate have fretted about.

For MMP to work, there needs to be an educational campaign to demonstrate to the voters that political parties do matter. They need to be more than institutions that make promises to voters and abandon them after election time. It has to play a role in the everyday life of the voters such as promoting prayer meetings (this is what I give credit to the social conservatives for doing), soccer leagues for the children of working families, and even providing building space for seniors to hang out and play euchre and cribs. I believe that political parties are capable and more than willing to be the proponents of social change if they truly recognize or understand what are the true ills of a political process that turns off voters. At the same time, this may be the elixir the Liberal Party of Canada needs when it tries to overcome the personal internecine grudges it needs to overcome in attempting to regain power.

I voted for MMP

2007-10-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

This was without hesitation and with great enthusiasm a week Thursday. Was leaving for San Francisco the next day and will be a Deputy Returning Officer on election day. I casted my vote early and for the Liberal candidate in a strong Dipper riding in East Toronto.

My assessment of the Ontario campaign is as follows:

I am disappointed in how this election campaign has turned out and hope that it will be the last first past the post election I will vote in my lifetime. Kudos to Dalton for winning a majority. When your chief opponent melted down during the campaign, all you can do is run on cruise control and avoid mistakes. The Premier did that. Congrats.

However, there are limits to being a wooden leader who is heavily scripted and controls the media message obsessively. Witness the Prime Minister. If Harper is evil with a nasty streak, Dalton is wooden but solid. We expect better leaders and a new electoral system will do that. So I am keeping my fingers crossed.

For John Tory, this represents a slap in the face for the Hugh Segal and Patrick Boyer faction of the Progressive Conservatives. He is now on the verge of completing the second worst campaign in party history. Only Larry Grossman did a poorer job than Tory, but Ontarians got conned by David Peterson. It's a shame the funding for religious schools issue derailed the party's chances of winning. I have lived in countries where there are funding of non-Christian denominational schools and they are a symbol of integration, diversity, and the promotion of a multicultural society. Now the Tories in Ontario will call for the Tim Hudaks, Christine Elliotts, and the Chris Hodgsons of the world to promote red meat politics and vouchers for religious school attendees. After all, it worked for Mike Harris and Ernie Eves did even better than John Tory 2007.

Howard Hampton will see an increase in his popular vote again but 12 to 13 seats mean that unless the voting system is changed, the NDP will be an afterthought between the two big kahunas. He hoped for a Liberal and a Tory minority government, and got neither. This means a return to private life in Riverdale with Shelley and a new leader. The return to CCF roots message did resonate but Howie is not Gary Doer nor even Bill Blaikie. Expect a proponent of the New Politics Initiative to step forward and carry the Dipper banner. Paul Ferreira is the best guy to do the job but his hold on York South-Weston is tenuous and he could be swept by the McGuinty red tide. If he loses, my vote will go to Andrea Horwath who I think can bridge the working class aspects of the party with Jack Layton's New Politics.

Finally, one more reason why MMP is necessary. The Greens with 6 to 9 per cent of the vote will be shut out again unless something happens in Owen Sound. This means that smaller parties are resonating with the public but there is a reluctance to vote for them due to their lack of presence in the political sphere. As voting have declined in the past decade, a change in the electoral system will encourage more young people who have never voted before to do so. So for progressive change in our politics for the future, vote for whatever candidate you prefer and a definite YES for MMP.

Interesting employment ad

2007-09-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

This is advertised on the HigherEdJobs.com website, a US source for employment in higher education.

Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST)
Assistant Professor - Mechanical (5 positions)
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Posted: 06/06/2007
Location: Tehran, Iran
Type: Full Time

I don't know what this post entails. Anything to do with centrifuges etc? Why is this advertised in a US website?

From what I know these posts are filled. But since there is no tenure in Iranian universities, there are certainly posts available for the next academic term.

The real lesson in Outremont

2007-09-17T11:08:00.001-07:00

I am not sure if the real lesson has been learned as of today. The story is this as follows.

The Bloc is bleeding votes left and right. The Grits are merely picking off the crumbs. Instead we should have been taking a fork and scooping mouthfuls of potential support that are now going to Mulcair and Layton.

Avoiding Quebec is not an issue and focusing on winning seats out West instead is cutting and running. The Liberals spent the past decade fighting separatism with positive results (sponsorship scandal aside). Now with separatism on the back burner, we need to be coming out with a new message. It means taking the fight against the Harper agenda in Quebec and preventing any rollback of the gains that have been made since the Quiet Revolution. None of this insistence that Muslim female voters should reveal themselves when they vote. Do they need to do this when they meet Stephane Dion or Pablo Rodriguez while discussing constituency matters in Montreal? Even though I am interested if Josee Verner and Maxime Bernier require female constituencies to remove their burqa, the answer to this question must be HELL NO!!!! We are Liberals and this represents the sort of rollback that we must defend against. Otherwise, we may as well shut up shop and get out of the political business altogether.

A win for the Cons at Roberval means that there will be a snap election in November. Harper has been licking his lips for today knowing that he has the men on base to drive the runs home. However, we can stop delivering moonballs so our opponents can swing for the fences. We have the resources to pitch out of this jam. Ensemble tout devient possible!!!!

Cherniak's call to arms

2007-08-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

This is what Jason has written in his last posting here http://jasoncherniak.blogspot.com/2007/08/support-preferntial-ballot.html

"Don't vote for MMP just because it is the only reform proposal in this referendum. Instead, demand from your local candidates when they come to the door that they support a proposal for a preferential ballot in 2011."

It is this demand for a preferential ballot among many voters that I have been leaning more towards a Single Transferable Vote type of proportional representation in recent times. However, I recognize that there can be no movement towards STV unless we make a move to implement proportional representation on October 10 in Ontario.

This was the recommendation of the Arbuthnott Commission in Scotland after running two elections under MMP.

"The additional member system used for elections to the Scottish Parliament should be revised to enable voters to choose between individual list candidates, and the use of the single transferable vote system should be considered if the revised additional member system does not bring anticipated benefits."

At the same time, there are movements in the UK that are supporting a movement towards STV from MMP, notably the Electoral Reform Society and Fairshare.

So Jason, if you support a preferential ballot, please vote MMP. Not only vote MMP, but work hard to have BC-STV implemented in 2009.

Only by supporting ANY form of proportional representation can we influence the governments of Canada that we need electoral reform. Electoral reform must not be end on October 10, but it must be an ongoing consultative process to implement and support a fairer democratic system not only in Ontario, but throughout Canada.

MMP in Ontario ensures that the democratic system in Ontario is much fairer and than it is now.

You are welcome to join us, Jason. By winning these two referendums you can tell our Party Leader that Canadians want electoral reform AND preferences in selecting our elected officials.

BTW, hope you like the Fair Vote Canada logo.

Update: "Under a bill before the Parliament of Canada, STV would be used for consultative elections of Senators."

The Liberals should call Harper's bluff. You want consultative elections for Senators, let's run the next federal election under Single Transferable Vote. Make this agreement and Senate reform goes through.

Harper Cabinet Pre-Shuffle Report Cards

2007-08-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

Grades for this terms cabinet are released. Comments in italics were made in a blogpost before the previous shuffle in January, thus I may be off the mark.

Stephen Harper

(Calgary Southwest) - Prime Minister of Canada

Lawrence Cannon

(Pontiac) - Minister of Transport and Local Communities

Performance Last Term: Weak presence in the House of Commons. Makes himself visible by handling out money. Chair of Priorities and Planning Cabinet Committee which makes him Number 2 in rank among ministers. Grade C- due to invisibility

Past Prediction: Stays where he is due to Quebec representation.

Performance This Term: The incredible shrinking cabinet minister. Does not even hand out money this term as local transport funding is allocated by the Finance Department. Power among Quebec minister diminishing. Grade D

Present Prediction: Anybody who said he may get the Defence portfolio needs to reconsider. Stays where he is at best, may be demoted.

Jay Hill

(Prince George-Peace River) Minister of State (Government Whip)

Performance Last Term: Officially Lawrence Cannon is No. 2 in the government. In reality, Jay is No. 2 in the Government Whip. With Emerson not running again and Gary Lunn possibly being dropped, he may be promoted into Cabinet. But in a minority government, this is an important position and conventional wisdom says that Jay should stay. Grade A- for keeping government alive.

Past Prediction: Stays at Whip until the next election, although he should be in cabinet. I will put him in agriculture and move Chuck Strahl into Environment.

Performance This Term: Was promoted into Minister of State. Became famous for locking up Bill Casey as Peter MacKay pleaded to the fellow Nova Scotian not to vote against the Atlantic Accord. No longer solely responsible for keeping Harper’s minions in order as Peter Van Loan plays an increasing role. Government situation not that precarious. Grade B+

Present Prediction: It is time to give Jay a department to manage. A good salesman is needed. Agriculture is a start, although Defence is mentioned given his rural background. Scott Reid takes over as Whip but with no Cabinet role.

Rob Nicholson

(Niagara Falls) Attorney-General of Canada

Performance Last Term: Is a quiet guy responsible for pushing Harper’s agenda through. Stays where he is due to Harper’s need to win Ontario big time. Grade B

Performance This Term: Nicholson got the promotion he deserved when he moved to the Department of Justice. A competent performer despite resisting calls from Michael Bryant for a handgun ban. Has remained silent with regards to the increase in shootings in urban centres, even though some red meat populist rhetoric would do well to rally hard core Conservative supporters. Grade A-

Present Prediction: A rock in the Harper Cabinet. Stays where he is.

Peter Van Loan

(York-Simcoe) Government House Leader

Performance This Term: The recently married Tory snack packer has taken control of Jay Hill’s role as agenda setter and is using bully boy tactics to disrupt Opposition tactics in Committee. Has also taken over Jason Kenney’s role when Harper is away in Question Period and adopts John Baird like tactics while under pressure. Not the political pundits cup of tea, but a capable performer. Grade B+

Present Prediction: Stays where he is. The Harper Government may fall under him in the next term, but I don’t think he is the cause.

Chuck Strahl

(Chillawack) Agriculture

Performance Last Term: Health problems have not curtailed his performance in Question Period one bit. Likeable guy on both sides of the house. Is taking heat for smashing the Canada Wheat Board Monopoly but he enjoys the work. Grade: B-

Past Prediction: He will stay at Agriculture where he has sway with Reform’s agrarian roots. But I believe moving him to Environment may be a prudent move.

Performance This Term: Was slapped once it was ruled that Harper cannot change the Canada Wheat Board mandate by balloting. Will have to do it through the House of Commons and it will probably require Bloc Quebecois approval. Another one who is rumoured for the Defence portfolio and a move to Environment may happen this time. Probably stays where he is. Grade B-

Jim Flaherty

(Whitby-Oshawa) - Finance and Chancellor of the Exchequer

Performance Last Term: Stays where he is. Income trust decision was a broken promise, but the right one to be made. Grade A

Performance This Term: Not a good year for Sunny Jim. The income trust decision has some Conservative diehards screaming for his head. Got himself involved in the Atlantic Accord debacle with Rodney MacDonald. Known to support the failed BCE-Telus merger. If he is moved, I will miss him. No longer the Harris populist or at least I haven’t seen him perform this role, which is kind of sad in a way. Grade B due to a rough session.

Present Prediction: Calls for his movement from Finance is at a crescendo. If he moves, he goes to either Industry or Foreign Affairs. A move that may not bode well to Harper’s declining popularity in Ontario.

Monte Solberg

(Medicine Hat) - Social Development

Performance Last Term: Been silent at Immigration. The policy of this government toward the deportation of illegal immigrants is not to answer questions. A shame for someone who enjoys being in the spotlight. Grade B

Past Prediction: Move to Environment may be helpful in promoting his career. Strong ties to Manning means that Harper will likely keep him at mid-Cabinet level. He stays where he is.

Performance This Term: Are there crickets that I am hearing at the Department of Social Development? He has virtually been invisible this term. Since Sunny Jim said that there are few resources available to implement income splitting for families, Monte is in danger of wasting away. Grade C

Present Prediction: The rumours of a move to Defence and Environment persist but it is obvious he is losing influence in Harper’s Cabinet. Will not be dropped, but with cabinet renewal paramount to Harper, may be heading to the backbenches sooner rather than later.

Peter MacKay

(Central Nova) - Foreign Affairs

Performance Last Term: The Cassanova of the House seems amateurish for a Cabinet post. At Foreign Affairs, he must be seen not to be rocking the boat. This he has not done. With Bernard Lord highly likely to run in the next election, his chance of being No. 2 in Atlantic Canada for the Cons is going to be Loverboy’s nightmare. Grade C-

Past Prediction: Harper wants MacKay out of the way in Ottawa, so he stays in Foreign Affairs.

Performance This Term: Given the Atlantic Accord debacle, the Conservatives may be wiped out of Atlantic Canada if things don’t improve. MacKay recognizes this and was surprisingly absent when Harper met with the G8 leaders in Germany. This shows that his days away from Ottawa are probably over. Grade C- for a barely passing performance grade.

Present Prediction: If he is moved than he takes Lawrence Cannon’s role at Transport where he can dole out pork. Yet, he can be demoted to a mid-level Cabinet post given Harper’s penchant for secrecy.

Josee Verner

(Louis-Saint-Laurent) - International Development

Performance Last Term: Has not distinguished herself, which is a shame. If given the opportunity to sell a program, she will do well. This may be due to her lack of exposure in the English media. As International Development Mnister, she should have been at the AIDS Conference instead of Clement. Grade C+

Past Prediction: International Development is where she stays and Harper will be smart to give her a more prominent role in promoting Canada’s foreign policy agenda. She has potential and a much more solid performer than other Quebec ministers such as Cannon and Blackburn.

Performance This Term: Distinguished herself more this term, going to Kabul and handling out cheques so women can go to school etc. Touting the success of reconstruction is one thing, what is the traction in Quebec is another. Grade C+

Present Prediction: Stays where she is. Canada’s record in foreign aid remains poor and will not change under the Conservatives.

John Baird

(Ottawa West-Nepean) - Environment

Performance Last Term: At Treasury Board, he is instrumental in getting the Accountability Act through. Grade A

Past Prediction: No doubt he would like to run a ministry but he will stay at Treasury Board until the next election.

Performance This Term: Has earned the PM’s confidence for defusing the Environment file somewhat, but many believe that the promotion is a bit too much for him. A pit bull on steroids that is in danger of rubbing the civil servants in a wrong way. Grade C+

Present Prediction: The key word is confidence. Can go to Foreign Affairs, Indian Affairs, or even Social Development. Would love a change of scenery because David Suzuki still has his number.

David Emerson

(Vancouver-Kingsway) - International Trade

Performance Last Term: If you can’t stand the heat, you shouldn’t be in politics. He showed that he can’t and will not run again. Resolved the softwood issue somewhat, although the real credit goes to Bernier and Michael Wilson. The 2010 Olympics will be a problem in the future for Harper’s government if it wins re-election. Grade D+

Prediction Last Term: Since he has publicly said he will throw in the towel, he should be dumped. With Jay Hill going into my proposed cabinet, this means goodbye Mr. Emerson.

Performance This Term: What a remarkable improvement. For a minister who was known to be on the verge of quitting, he has proved to be a experienced performer on the international scene. A good cop able to keep business flowing when MacKay gives his occasional tirade on human rights. Will stay until the election and Harper may be hard to lose someone like him. Grade B-

Present Prediction: Lacking solid performers with experience, Emerson stays.

Vic Toews

(Provencher) - Treasury Board Secretariat

Performance Last Term: Has absolute control of Harper’s conservative law and order policy as Attorney-General. Sets up for the next election. Grade B

Past Prediction: Reputation will increase if the Cons win a majority in the next election.

Performance This Term: Shunted off to the Treasury Board in order to promote Baird. Been silent on the proposed improvements to the Accountability Act. Grade C+

Present Prediction: Harper needs a credible performer to run a Department. This is why the rumours of a move to National Defence continues to swirl.

Greg Thompson

(New Brunswick Southwest) - Veterans Affairs

Performance Last Term: Quiet person who serves in the Veterans Affairs position. More an administrator. Should have resolved the pay issue with wounded soldiers quicker instead of letting the Opposition cause a commotion. Grade C+

Past Prediction: Stays where he is. Needs someone from Atlantic Canada to fulfill this important regional portfolio.

Performance This Term: Same as the last term during the winter session. Fortunate a Walter Reed-type scandal has not emerged during his administration. Don’t be surprised if it will though. More wounded soldiers will be coming home. Grade C+

Present Prediction: May be shifted to the Canada Revenue Agency due to Skelton’s pending retirement and to make room for Gordon O’Connor.

Gordon O'Connor

(Carleton-Mississippi Mills) - National Defence

Performance Last Term: Not a easy post to hold, particularly if the Bloc and the NDP forces an election on Afghanistan. A move here may show that the war effort is not doing well. Grade C

Performance This Term: Has been so incompetent that he made Denis Coderre looked good. Has been a dead man walking at the DND since the spring. At the same time, Mr. Harper’s war is not going well. Grade E

Present Prediction: Do you want to move him to Veterans Affairs and have a new scandal break out in that we treat our wounded poorly? Gordon O’Connor may be the ballad we will be singing when we celebrate the decline and fall of Stephen Harper.

Carol Skelton

(Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar) - Minister of Revenue

Performance Last Term: Quiet administrator in charge of the Revenue Agency. Where was she during the Quebec as a nation vote? Grade C+

Past Prediction: In a caucus lacking women representation, Skelton stays. Cannot see her moving beyond the administration category. Not sure if she really is a major player.

Performance This Term: The answer to my query is a definite “no”. For a minister whose daughter is a major player in the ascendancy of the Saskatchewan Party, it will be tough for her to see Brad Wall go to war with Stephen Harper leading up to the next federal election. Definitely jumped before the going got tough. Grade C-

Helena Guergis

(Simcoe Grey) - Minister of State (Foreign Affairs)

Performance Last Term: With Bev Oda underperforming at Heritage and Status of Women, Guergis can be a good replacement. But Heritage is a large bureaucracy that the Cons would love to chop, so a more senior minister may be needed here.

Past Prediction: Not this time, but I would put Guergis at International Trade to replace Emerson.

Performance This Term: Was promoted Minister of State. The consolation in this is that she does not become the next Rona Ambrose. Grade C

Present Prediction: The rumours of Guergis replacing Oda is swirling. Can Harper afford another Rona Ambrose?

Jason Kenney

(Calgary Southeast) - Minister of State (Multiculturalism)

Past Prediction: Kenney stays where he is as Parliamentary Secretary to the PM. However, Oda is better at this position. I would suggest that Kenney goes to Whip and becomes Harper’s trusted Lieutenant in the House.

Performance This Term: Kenney has been a solid performer doing outreach work with ethnic communities in the hope of a Harper majority. I find him to be disingenuous though. Grade: B+

Present Prediction: Let me tell you he is my least favourite Minister in Harper’s Cabinet. His flirtation with pro-lifers when he was working for Lynne Haverstock showed the damage he can wreck if things don’t get his way. Will probably get the Heritage portfolio as he lives and dies politics. Harper needs to watch over him though or he risks being Tweedledum to Kenney’s Tweedledee.

Rona Ambrose

(Edmonton-Spruce Grove) - Intergovernmental Affairs

Performance Last Term: Is rumoured to be out of Environment. Social Development may be good for her, given Diane Finley’s health issues. What to do with the PM’s most trusted advisor’s wife is a problem. Grade D-

Past Prediction: Going to Social Development may be good for her. She can sell the income splitting and possible homemaker’s allowance if Harper decides to turn the nasty meter and make the social conservatives happy.

Performance This Term: Rona’s on the job cabinet training continues at Intergovernmental Affairs. Grade D+

Present Prediction: Can’t see her getting moved. I think there is something wrong with her performance. There is a possibility she may have trouble handling cabinet briefs.

Diane Finley

(Haldimand-Norfolk) - Citizenship and Immigration

Performance Last Term: She has downplayed her health issues but I think it affects her. Major role was to give the one hundred dollar cheques for child care. Grade C+

Past Prediction: Putting her seating partner Rona at Social Development may give the Harper government a rallying cry in the election. Side move to Heritage to replace Oda may be too big for her. Can’t touch Indian Affairs, for fear that Canadian troops may be needed in Caledonia. I am tempted to put her in Natural Resources to replace Lunn.

Performance This Term: Switch portfolios with Solberg and it is quite difficult seeing her give press conferences in immigrant communities wearing those dark glasses. Where a so-con or a populist personality can present a lightning spark to Harper’s core constituency with regards to reasonable accommodation of minorities, Finley looks tired in this portfolio. Grade C-

Present Prediction: Don’t see Harper moving Finley.

Gary Lunn

(Saanich- Gulf Islands) - Minister of Natural Resources

Performance Last Term: A junior minister in charge of a major department. It is apparent that some have suggested that a government post may be too big for his political career. Grade D

Past Prediction: Rumour has him leaving cabinet. With Jay Hill stepping in, coastal BC representation is maintained. Diane Finley goes to Natural Resources.

Performance This Term: Lunn was in trouble of being demoted over the winter. Now he is a proven salesman who may even get the promotion to Defence. Represents the interests of the logging industry well, which is vital in rural BC. Grade C

Present Prediction: Don’t see a move to National Defence for him.

Loyola Hearn

(St John's South-Mount Pearl) - Fisheries and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Performance Last Term: Quiet man effective in this important regional position. Harper does most of the negotiations with Danny Williams though. Grade B-

Past Prediction: Stays where he is. Harper should use him more when conducting intergovernmental business.

Performance This Term: The feud between Harper and Danny Boy has destroyed Hearn’s political career. A crying shame and a major casualty in Cabinet for Harper’s administration. Grade C

Present Prediction: Says he will not seek re-election. May be dumped for Fabian Manning. Will probably have fewer responsibilities if MacKay leaves Foreign Affairs.

Tony Clement

(Parry Sound-Muskoka) - Health

Performance Last Term: The wait times guarantee is a disappointment. But he had the gall to admit it. Was sent in as a sacrificial lamb at the World Aids Conference. Grade C-

Past Prediction: Not the most likeable person in the Harper Cabinet, but it is more perception rather than reality. Forced to stay on message like Solberg. Can’t be sacrificed due to the importance of Ontario in the Cons election plans. Stays where he is, albeit reluctantly.

Performance This Term: Like most Harper ministers, rarely goes on camera unless giving a press conference. Clement said few things that are notable. One is promoting Canada’s Food Guide. Also made a promise to uphold the Canada Health Act against two-tier medicine and will tighten ban on tobacco advertising. Not sure if he is sincere in shedding the radical Common Sense Revolution image though. Grade C+

Present Prediction: Will probably stay where he is. I find that Flaherty and Clement have mellowed somewhat as Harper Cabinet Ministers. John Baird is a different matter though.

Stockwell Day

(Okanagan-Coquihalla) - Public Safety

Performance Last Term: Is being hammered at Public Safety repeatedly due to the Arar fiasco. Still, if there is a pol that can take abuse, it is the Stockboy. Grade C+

Past Prediction: Moving Stock before any resolution to the Arar fiasco and reforms of the RCMP is folly. Besides, where does he go after leaving Public Safety?

Performance This Term: The RCMP pension scandal gave Stock the opportunity to clean house there with all party approval. At the same time, he sounded sane(?) during the Afghan detainee scandal when he stayed on message. May be moved to a tougher Cabinet position. Grade B-

Prediction: A move to DND to widely speculated. The war is something that is becoming a millstone around Harper’s neck and Stock may be hard ass enough to take the arrows involved in the war effort. Again, if there is someone who have been from the political gutter and back, it is the Stockboy.

Jim Prentice

(Calgary Centre North) - Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Performance Last Term: Is unofficially the Number 2 in Harper’s cabinet due to his chairing the Operations Committee. Indian Affairs is not a easy job to do due to the strong ties between the Assembly of First Nations and the Liberals. Grade B+

Past Prediction: A quiet behind the scenes guy who has earned Harper’s trust. A move to Environment is good, but he is a good point man to deflect criticism post-Kelowna.

Performance This Term: Did diffuse the possible tensions post-Kelowna and maintained a working relationship with Grand Chief Phil Fontaine. Not that surprise tensions did not boiled over at Caledonia and Deseronto but the Cons did learn their lessons at Meech Lake. Grade A

Present Prediction: Is rumoured to be going everywhere: Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Deputy Prime Minister etc. Joke is that they are making a series about Harper’s Cabinet and it is called One and a Half Man (Prentice being the half minister). Can Canada stomach John Baird at Indian Affairs after Environment?

Bev Oda

(Durham) - Heritage

Performance Last Term: Is having trouble deflecting criticism for Harper’s cuts to the National Advisory Council for the Status of Women. In danger of being a token ethnic as Kenney does the real work in cultural issues. Grade E

Past Prediction: If she is not ethnic and Michael Chong did not quit cabinet, then she is gone. A move to Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister should be good for her, as it may be smart to give Kenney the whip and appoint Jay into Cabinet. She does not have to answer questions when the PM is away from the House as Kenney and Prentice are effective performers. Still Oda at Heritage is a sore thumb.

Performance This Term: The Bev Oda Experience will be mercifully ended. I cannot see any reason why Harper will not move her. Should have been done sooner.

Present Prediction: Will keep the Status of Women portfolio and remain a full Cabinet minister. Not that it matters much in Harper’s administration.

Jean-Pierre Blackburn

(Jonquiere-Alma) - Labour

Performance Last Term: Is being hammered constantly as Minister of Labour by the Bloc. Has leeway as a Quebec Minister and the Quebec as a Nation resolution saved his political career. But Dion’s election as Liberal Leader may possibly end it. Grade C+

Past Prediction: Will need to stay in Labour. The campaign trail will make or break his career.

Performance This Term: Blackburn’s political career is sustained due to the weakness of the Bloc Quebecois. However, the Bloc’s demise has not helped Harper much. If Dion starts to gain from the Bloc, then things will start spiralling in a hurry. C+ for defeating efforts by the Bloc and the NDP to ban scab labour.

Present Prediction: I have a feeling that Dion is starting to make headway in Quebec.

Senator Michel Fortier (Public Works)

Performance Last Term: Not a representative, as he sits in the Senate. Will have trouble winning a seat in Quebec unless Harper makes a turnaround. Still articulate, except that he has no forum to speak. Grade C

Performance This Term: Will try wait until 2009 when he will run in Vaudreuil-Soulanges. By then the Harper government may be history. Grade D

Present Prediction: Harper may be forced to elevate him into Senate Leader but Marjorie LeBreton is too valuable as an influence. Fortier’s departure clears the way for either Cannon or MacKay to do something important in this Department.

Maxime Bernier

(Beauce) - Industry

Performance Last Term: Solid behind the scenes guy at Industry. May need a more visible cabinet post to show how strong he is. Grade B+

Past Prediction: With Harper reluctant to throw newbies into the fire, Maxime may be the guy needed in both Heritage or Environment. I suggest Heritage, as a francophone in this position can help Harper’s electoral prospects in Quebec.

Performance This Term: Has moved to deregulate the local telecoms industry. Is de-facto Heritage Minister in dealing with the copyright issue. Grade B+, will probably get a higher grade if he can make the economic and cultural nationalists happy.

Present Prediction: Bernier is tipped for Finance, Foreign Affairs, or Heritage.

Report cards to be distributed

2007-08-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

I will provide a grade for Harper's Cabinet sometime this weekend.

An end of the year Record of Achievement before the looming shuffle.

A vote for party list candidates is a vote for policy options

2007-08-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

This is taken from Jason Cherniak's recent update on why MMP deserves to be defeated.

"No matter how candidates in ridings are chosen, the people ultimately decide whether to elect the individual. However, with a list system voters will never be able to pick and choose names from the list. No matter what happens behind the scenes, the parties will control who gets elected from the list in an MMP system."

Under proportional representation, the people gets to decide both a candidate in the riding AND the political party which best represent their interests in governing the province. In our present first past the post system, the voter gets to choose a candidate who may be in government, opposition, or a maverick who is shut out of Question Period. MMP is a fairer system as policy options need to be revealed in the open and the list candidates must show credibility in implementing them. Failure to reveal these policy options and the appointment of list candidates who show weakness in implementing them will lead to a loss of votes for the party desiring to form government.

At the same time, the political parties will choose which men and women they want to represent them in the Legislative Assembly. If you dislike who the political leader chose to represent the party in government, simply DON'T VOTE FOR THE PARTY!!! This sends a message that the members of the party list are not up for the job of governing. By allowing this option, voters can decide on how government policies are formed. Under first past the post, voters only have a say on which candidate represent their interests in Parliament and not on policy decisions.

It is time for voters to have a say on which policy decisions need to be implemented in the Legislature. MMP ensures this accountability exists in the party list.

Cabinet shuffle rumours

2007-08-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Don't know who to trust here.

Bob Fife has it that a mini-shuffle is on. It is posted at http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070804/cabinet_shuffle_070804/20070804?hub=QPeriod

What he said is:
Gordon O'Connor: Defence to Veterans Affairs
Greg Thompson: Veterans Affairs to Revenue (Carol Skelton leaves)
Jim Prentice: Indian Affairs and Northern Development to National Defence

Bev Oda leaves Heritage for either James Moore and Jason Kenney. She will probably remain as Minister of State for Status of Women.

My preference is for James Moore at Heritage, Kenney's appointment signals a swing to the right for Harper with regards to privatizing the CBC and taking a harder line with regards to the reasonable accomodation of minorities. Note that if Prentice goes to DND, either one will fill the Indian Affairs portfolio.

Jane Taber has spring some wild cards here http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070803/cabinet_shuffle_070803/20070803?hub=QPeriod

This has things like Stockwell Day going to DND, Vic Toews leaving the Treasury Board for Public Safety, and Maxime Bernier leaving Industry for a more prominent role. We can speculate whether this cabinet shuffle will lead to a change in government directiion. Of course, what this means is that the end of the Gordon O'Connor's tenure is near.

John Edwards' three pillars

2007-07-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Liberal Arts and Minds for mentioning John Edwards' success in resisting Republican attacks.

It will be difficult for Edwards to hold on to the momentum he will gain in the Iowa caucus but he will go down swinging. Setting the standard early in the campaign and force the other Democratic primary candidates to respond to you helps.

His apology for the vote on Iraq and opposition to the expansion of NAFTA means that centrist candidates like Obama and Clinton will have to follow suit. At the same time, using the theme "war on poverty" signifies that Edwards will not do business as usual.

There have been nice cover stories of Edwards on both Vogue Homme and Esquire. These articles have highlighted his choice among most sensitive working males. People who are into college basketball and wears a pink LiveStrong bracelet will listen to him. Even the Economist gave a plug for him, which is sensible in that it does not dismiss progressives with a message blankly. The link is here http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9514336

Edwards is running ahead in the Iowa caucus. However, in the primaries, he is running solidly behind Hillary and Obama. This shows the discrepancy between likeability and winnability. But his message does resonate and he is someone that is worth listening to. Comparisons to Bobby 1968 may be far fetched, but the linkage shows that the US still has far to go in bridging its social divide.

This is something Dion's Liberals is wise to tap into. A blogger from Massachusetts has made some key points in his blogpost http://eyeopener.typepad.com/mass_eye_opener/2007/07/john-edwards-se.html. Ironically, Edwards' campaign has developed three solid pillars: war against poverty, healthcare for all Americans, and global climate change.

I had suggested that Dion's three pillars need to be refined. Instead of concentrating on global warming, Dion needs to defend aggressively the Canada Health Act against any movement towards a two tier system as the second pillar. As the third pillar, Dion must set targets to cut Canada's poverty rate by one-third by 2015. The efforts in Kyoto must be matched in this regard.

With this message, the Liberals can now go on relentless attack. Harper's Cons will be labelled as not only climate change deniers, but not concerned about Canada's poor.

Six Good Reasons to Support MMP on October 10

2007-07-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

1. Greater accountability, fairer representation for all

Under the present system, a party with a majority government has the power to implement most of its agenda, with LESS than 50 per cent of the vote.

Detractors will argue that clear positions taken by political parties will become muddled in the forming of coalition governments. This has proven not to be the case in other political systems in which MMP is the norm.

2. Elections will allow voices of minority groups to be heard

MMP ensures representation of women, ethnic minorities, and parties disenfranchised under the first past the post system.

Critics will argue that closed door deals will be made to create coalitions. This is further from the truth. In fact, parties will be held MORE accountable. Grassroots members will demand which parties are welcome to be in a future coalition government. In fact, once the coalition has been forged, the grassroots membership can demand the coalition can be ratified by a ballot which require the approval of a two-third majority. This puts power in the party membership, not the leadership.

3. Government based on people’s interests, not strong leadership

Strong leadership may have been effective to enact Diefenbaker’s Bill of Rights and Trudeau’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, minority governments can produce solid policies in the past such as the same-sex marriage, the Canada Pension Plan, and funding of Catholic schools in Ontario. So the argument of needing majority governments and strong leadership to do big things is not reflected in history.

4. Fairer democratic system

Is a fairer democratic system really that difficult to create, if it requires a voter to vote for a preferred local representative and their preferred political party? If the answer is yes, than Canada’s democratic system is more broken than it is now, as voter apathy has taken its toll.

5. More representative population in Queen’s Park

The seats dropped from 125 to 103 under Mike Harris has been restored. Any comments of additional politicians in Queen’s Park goes against the concept of representation by population.

6. Allows for Ontario to fulfil its true role in Confederation

Move towards MMP-PR will lead to major changes. Ontario will be guaranteed adequate representation to demand its rebate from past equalization payments from the Harper government. The ministers of Ontario will not be strictly representing his party’s interests in future intergovernmental conferences. They will be representing the diverse interests of Canada’s largest province and undoubtedly, the fairest government elected in Ontario.

Coulon for Outremont: A good move?

2007-07-18T19:11:00.001-07:00

This is not what I expected.

Dion should have appointed a woman to run in Outremont. That Liza Frulla and Louise Arbour are out of the radar does not mean that you seek a male star candidate.

The star candidate is Thomas Mulcair, more due to image than anything else.

By appointing a woman, Dion could use the word "renewal" as something to fall back on. Now, this by-election becomes more of a test of his leadership credentials.

Mushroom's Best Soccer Teams in History

2007-07-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

I have let others comment and will do my own ranking. Unlike World Soccer, I will pay equal attention to the Latin American teams. Again, I know there are not that many here in political blogosphere. But who knows:

1) Brazil 1958-1962. That last goal against Italy by Carlos Alberto showed how skillful the 1970 team is. However, this one is arguably more exciting to watch. Pele as a youngster playing with Vava, Zagallo, and of course, the legendary Garrincha. A flawed genius if there is one.

2) Santos 1962-1963. A team nobody watched in Europe, but was remembered the rest of the world. Pele, Coutinho, and Pepe. Nine Paulista championships and two Libertadores in a row. Back to back Intercontinental Cups, beating Eusebio's Benfica and Gianni Rivera's Milan. A ceasefire between the Two Congos occurred so the soldiers can watch this team play.

3) Sao Paulo 1992-1993. Forget about Brazil 1982. This team is Tele Santana's most exciting team to date. Won back to back Libertadores and Intercontinental Cups, defeating Cruyff's Barca and Capello's Milan in the process. The word "jogo bonito" is used to define Santana's teams. They will prefer to lose playing attacking football, then win playing boring football (like Brazil 1994).

4) Inter 1964-1965. For exciting football, there has to be rewards for boring football and Helenio Herrera's La Grande Inter deserve its accolades. Back to back European and Intercontinental Cups. However, there is a difference between boring catenaccio and taking advantage of attacking wingbacks such as Giacinto Facchetti. One should note that Grande Inter beat a Real Madrid team led by Di Stefano, Puskas, and Gento and a Benfica team led by Eusebio in the finals to win the European Cup. For the Intercontinental Cup, Inter had to beat an Independiente team that had won back to back Libertadores.

5) AC Milan 1989-1990. The team that set the standard in the golden age of Italian Calcio. The Three Dutchmen (Rijkaard, Gullit, Van Basten), plus rock solid defending from Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta, and Tassotti. Arrigo Sacchi brought forth the most prominent football tactic most effective in European football: 4-4-2 pressing. Won back to back European and Intercontinental Cups.

Best soccer teams in history

2007-07-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

World Soccer Magazine has a list of the best teams in history. It is listed below:

1 Brazil 1970
2 Hungary 1953
3 Holland 1970
4 Milan 1989-90
5 Brazil 1958
6 Real Madrid 1956-60
7 Brazil 1982
8 Barcelona 1991-94
9 Italy 1934-38
10 France 1998- 2000
11 River Plate late 1940s
12 Ajax 1971-73
13 Bayern Munich 1974-76
14 Celtic 1967
15 France 1984
16 Denmark 1986
17 Real Madrid 1998
18 Totttenham 1961
18 Liverpool 1977
20 Manchester United 1999

Not sure if there are soccer fans among the political bloggers. Feel free to comment

Thank you, Patrick Fitzgerald

2007-07-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

Thank God for Chicago Federal Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald and the United States of America. This may be one of the few times that our southern neighbours deserve a pat on the back.

Do you think Conrad Black would be prosecuted in Canada? If he got off for looting Dominion's pension fund, then it does not bode well for Canada's legal system. The Alan Eagleson debacle being another good example.

The three mail fraud charges are quite serious. Applied consecutively, they will do Conrad in.

I will compromise between the two sides and say Black will be in the slammer for seven to ten. But this is Chicago and the city does not tolerate fed cons ie. Dillinger and Capone.

NOTE: Seems I have mistaken the Chicago prosecutor with the former Illinois Senator. I have made the correction.

The ballad of Phil Edmonston

2007-07-12T19:09:00.001-07:00

This is the story of a man who was originally born in Washington, DC, the son of a US Army dad and a French mom. He later moved up to Canada and became known as this country's version of Ralph Nader. His name is Phil Edmonston.

In 1990, during a time of political crisis in which the Meech Lake Accord was floundering and Lucien Bouchard was deserting Mulroney's Conservatives, Edmonston decided to run for the Chambly by-election. He had finished a strong second to the Tory candidate in 1988 and many thought that Edmonston would have a good shot.

The Liberals responded with a star candidate. Clifford Lincoln was Robert Bourassa's Environment Minister. He had quit the cabinet due to Bourassa's adoption of Bill 178 and the notwithstanding clause. Lincoln was going to use the Bill 178 issue to defend equality language rights by making an attempt for the Liberal leadership contest.

The by-election result in February 1990 was shocking for the Grits:

By-election on 12 February 1990
Party
Candidate
Votes

New Democrat
EDMONSTON, Phillip
26,998

Liberal
LINCOLN, Clifford
7,000

Progressive Conservative
BÉGIN, Serge
3,819

Green
DÉCARIE, Jocelyne
1,846

Independent
MAILLÉ, Gilles
160

Social Credit
MARTEL, Emilien
96

A 20,000 vote defeat for Lincoln led to him dropping out of the leadership race. Chretien won and Jean Lapierre quit the party to flirt with the Bloquistes. Lincoln would win the safer seat of Lachine in 1993, but he would not be appointed into Cabinet.

Edmonston had a brief political career. He opposed Charlottetown and did not get along with Audrey McLaughlin. In 1993, he left Chambly in good shape - for the Bloquistes. The Bloc has won every election since and the Liberals have not been seen prominently there.

Seventeen years later, Mulcair is attempting to re-sing Edmonston's story. The situation for Dion is exactly the same. A lot will argue that if Dion sticks to with his national unity message, Outremont may be a blip in Quebec political history. But is 2007 really dark days for Canada when compared to 1990? If the economy is that good, than should the Bloc voters be going to the Liberals led by a French Canadian, instead of an Albertan? This is why the results of the Outremont by-election are so interesting.

Left rumblings from Outremont

2007-07-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

It seems that a faction of the New Democrats is unhappy that Thomas Mulcair is running in Outremont http://redmenace-benson.blogspot.com/2007/07/why-does-party-establishment-hates-us.html.

Layton has practically told the most successful New Democrat in Outremont Leo-Paul Lauzon that now is not the time.

Lauzon has supported the nationalization of Canada's oil and gas industry. He obviously is a supporter of the economy of Venezuela, Bolivia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. To show his Quebec left-wing credentials, Lauzon has called for the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec to build a refinery in partnership with these so-called worker's republics. The link can be found here http://redmenace-benson.blogspot.com/search?q=leo-paul+lauzon

It remains to be seen how the Caisse can guarantee a twenty per cent rate of return to make the retirees happy with their pension income with this nationalist joint venture.

Give Lauzon credit though. At least he is putting forward ideas. Now the NDP slogan will probably use in Outremont will be: "Vote Mulcair, if you want to get out of Afghanistan".

Critical facts on P3 in healthcare

2007-07-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

The truth about public-private partnerships (P3) is that it becomes prevalent in the present due to this dilemma.

Individuals are loath for tax increases to fund health care spending that can be used to build a hospital extension wing, hire doctors etc.

The result is that the government has to contract companies such as private contractors to build hospitals on debt. We get a new hospital wing and in return we pay them in payments until 2031 etc. The private contractors in return manage the hospital by making money through concessions (Tim Horton’s, gift shops, the hospital cafeteria etc.), the interest the government pays in financing, and procurement.

It is mortgaging the future to deal with the present. Governments need to be honest and just sell a tax increase properly.

Best book on P3 is George Monbiot's (2000), ‘Captive State, The Corporate Takeover of Britain’, Macmillan.

Allyson M Pollock's (2004), NHS plc: the privatisation of our healthcare, Verso is the best book giving a critical view of P3.

Why wait until 2009? Time for Canadian pacifism

2007-07-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

Given the increasing unpopularity of the Afghan campaign, it is now time for Canada to adopt a pacifist foreign policy that supports the promotion of peace above all else. Canada has no interest in getting involved in the entangled alliance of the imperialist powers and be engaged in military conflict of any kind.

The Afghanistan mission has revealed one thing. Canadians no longer see themselves engage in fighting wars of any kind. The next government should do the nation a favour and downgrade the military significantly to pursue a pacifist foreign policy.

Of course, many Canadians have argued that their traditional role as peacekeepers by highlighting its contribution in Haiti, Rwanda, Yugoslavia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. However, this record has been mixed. The Rwandan and Yugoslavian experience have been promoted by two blowhard generals: Romeo Dalliare and Lewis Mackenzie. Both of them were the predecessors to Rick Hillier: telegenic, articulate, and promised less than the facts on the ground. In Haiti, an elected government led by Aristide was overthrown because his populist, liberation theology discourse scared the US to bits. In Darfur, you are talking about a genocide the equivalent to Srebrenica (of which Mackenzie is still denying), Biafra, and Nanjing. Peter MacKay is not going to be Canada's Bernhard Kouchner, far from it.

In its past history, Canadians are not afraid to fight in wars or support wars (especially of the multilateral variation). But by 2009, the Afghan mission will be a stain in Canadian history, the equivalent of the Australian experience in Vietnam. Kandahar is Canada's version of Hamburger Hill. I will not shed a tear if this is Harper's political legacy. It may bring forth a rupture with the past needed for a multicultural and more tolerant Canada.