Conservative Canadian (Don't shoot!)

Brenda Martin: The other side

2008-04-01T20:53:00.003-07:00

A Canadian-citizen moves to become a full-time cook for an American-businessman who it turns out was running a fraudulent-investment scheme that robbed investors of almost $60 Million US.

She is fired from being his chef, and received a severance payment. She then turns around and invests her severance payment into one of his "investment" companies. Several years later Martin is arrested on fraud charges, with police alleging that her severance re-investment was simply money-laundering for her corrupt boss.

That was in 2006, it is now 2008 and she has not had a court date yet.

What an outrage you say! Why has she not been tried in a court of law yet? Why is the government not doing anything about this horrible travesty of justic?

I can answer all your questions in one word: Mexico.

All this took place in Mexico, and so as a result Canada can do nothing to spring Brenda Martin from jail. Her fate is in the hands of Mexico's corrupt and glacial-fast judicial system now. Sorry, sister.

But you wouldn't know it was Mexico's fault by listening to Ms. Martin's comments. How do I know her comments, you ask? Why because she regularly calls her family on the telephone from jail, not a bad privilege when you're whining to high-heaven about your treatment.

Here are some of her claims:

When visited by two Conservative MPs: ""It was a photo op for them for political gain...My life is at stake...I believe that the dog-and-pony show that showed up here yesterday..."
Her condition: "hanging on by a thin thread"
When visited by one Liberal MP: "...a wonderful man"
When asked about contact by Consular officials: "They could have made 600 calls, for all I care..."

So now that we know that her life is in serious danger, and that Canada has done "nothing" to help set her free, let's look at what the Prison Warden has told our Canadian officials:

"Called warden re visit and was informed Ms. Martin did not wish a visit"
"aggressive with fellow inmates'' and was "rude' to cafeteria staff"
Warden says subject refuses to eat during her stay in the hospital she managed to eat fries and soda.''
Martin complained to the consular officials about overcrowding and sleeping on a mattress on the floor, but wouldn't transfer dormitories because she'd lose access to a refrigerator.
"No call to mother as Ms. Martin was in a beauty pageant in the prison and did not go to the office for the weekly call.''

Not even mentioning what the consulate has done:

Consular officials spoke often with Martin, 51, by telephone, sometimes several times a day, and visited the prison at least a dozen times.
Harper said Canadian officials have had about 100 contacts either with their Mexican counterparts or Martin herself in the last two years.
Harper has called Mexican President about Martin
Canada has sent a diplomatic note about Martin
Two government MPs have visited her
Foreign Affairs Minister Bernier has raised the Brenda Martin issue with his Mexican counter-part

So much for not helping her out. There have even been times when she turned down officials help, and times when she did not even bother to call her mother.

Sounds like someone has a hate-on for the Conservative party too, which is silly considering they're currently in government!

Dingos ate my writers

2008-02-18T18:58:00.003-08:00

I haven't made a post in awhile on my blog, preferring to let the indexing-bots that make up 99% of my readership finish indexing my old posts first. That's not an easy task considering each post has more self-congratulatory content than George Clooney after an Oscar win.

So now that that's over with, I thought what better way to kick-off 2008 than to re-post other, already published, articles! Generally only quality stuff gets the privilege of being rerun, but when dogs with weird owners aka The New Westminster Dog Show started re-runs in prime-time; I knew it was my time to strike.

So here they are, columns so bad they make Dion look literate:

More police needed

The Vancouver Province
Letters
Published: Monday, February 18, 2008

It is great that the provincial government is going to take crime seriously by stiffening sentences and expanding our prisons.

There is a lot of hot air from politicians every time someone is killed in the Lower Mainland, and it's time for something to be done to keep us safe.

Now, if only Vancouver would do its part and properly staff its police department.

Mackenzie Gans,
North Vancouver

BC Drivers Licences get smarter

The Premier announced a pilot project to add extra information to our driver’s licences, such as an RFID tag that will allow you to sail through the border. The information on that tag will probably be your fingerprint and everything visible on your licence, including your photo, signature and address. It’s a great move because the US State Department has recently started adding an RFID tag to their passports, so this is definitely the way the world is going. You drive up to the border, flash your licence at the scanner, and after a brief confirmation of your photo and criminal record you’re on your way. With the wait at both sides of the border getting longer and longer, let’s hope this radio tag comes in sooner rather than later.

Adventures in Castro-Land

2007-02-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

As you can tell I have been away from the keyboard for awhile, spending two weeks immersed in one of the world's last bastions of communism does that too you. It took me this long to recover. For those of you who missed the memo, I was in Cuba from December 23 to January 7, spending Christmas and New Years and just about every other important holiday there. I had a good time and marvelled at how amazingly poor they all are.

Everything was different over there. You could buy Coca-Cola, but it was bottled in Mexico and cost a lot. Their popular substitute was Ciego-Montero Tu Kola:
It was OK, but definitely no Coke. 80% of the vehicles were either charter buses or taxis for tourists, of course it was all owned by the government. The only private enterprise was the "Yo...you wanna buy sum Cubans?" I'm-losing-my-nuts-tomorrow kind. Their buses were nice, we rode in this Yutong bus (made by Mao) a couple times:
There were smaller buses that we rode which were equally nice. The buses had to be nice, however, because their roads (Even the highways and toll roads) were more full of holes then Steve Irwin eaten by a sting-ray. Ouch. The maintenance of everything was, well, less than we're used too:

But it was fun, and so worth it. In Osoyoos the sand gets so bloody hot your feet melt, but in Cuba the sand was fine and not too hot, plus the water was warm. (But the salt in the water means I give the advantage to Osoyoos Lake) The street markets all had similar wares, whether you were in Varadeo (Where our resort was) or Havana, and the best part was the bags. Yes, the plastic bags. They were the same EVERYWHERE you went! Street market in Varadeo. Mall in Varadeo. Street Market in Havana. The same bags, no matter where you went or what you bought. It's like Castro is trying to freak you out. What a bastard.

So now the final piece,

I just had too. Come on, it's hot. I would've bought it, if it wouldn't be a labour of hemorrhoid-proportions to take it on the plane, plus it would've cost a ton of Castro-dollars. (Called Cuba Convertible Pesos, or CUCs in Cuba) I could go on, posting a million photos but I think this is enough. You can't top a nekkid girl on a beach, no sir.

Photo Album

Left-leaning media bias: Strong like the North star

2006-11-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

I thought I would actually back up my talk this month. Instead of always whining about bias this, tax-cut that I actually have information to back it up. See, now liberals are screwed because their arguments are usually based on emotion and not reason. (Gun control, abortion and tax-cuts are three great examples)

Exhibit A: Media Bias

Howard Dean to be Liberals' keynote speaker

Updated Fri. Nov. 10 2006 1:13 PM ET

Canadian Press

MONTREAL -- The Liberal party will turn to a Democratic heavyweight from south of the border to inspire the troops during their convention.

So. You wanted a liberal bias. You got it. Now forget what you just read, and close your eyes. Picture this: The Conservatives are having their convention in Winnipeg, it's November 2008. For the main, keynote, speech they ask Ken Mehlman, the Republican National Committee Chairman. How would the media react? With outrage! "Conservative turn to Republicans for inspiration” or “Tories chooses Bush-ally as keynote" Can you get the picture? The press coverage would be, let's say, less than flattering. Every Public-health-care-group and their dog would be up in arms over this "Americanization" of Canadian politics. Yet if Liberals do it they get a free ride. I don't get it. My solution? Stop action like 10 year-olds and act like adults: There is no problem with asking someone from outside Canada to give a speech. We have free trade with business, which should apply to people speaking too. If I go to the US, I should be able to give a speech (On, say, Why John Kerry is big, brown douche-bag) without raising a ruckus in the media just because I'm Canadian.

Exhibit B: Foolish, Reactionary Comments

Religion sparks anti-gay bias, says Elton John

Updated Sat. Nov. 11 2006 7:19 PM ET

Associated Press

LONDON -- Organized religion fuels anti-gay discrimination and other forms of bias, pop star Elton John said in an interview published Saturday.

"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly Magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."

I'm not going to say much on this. Elton John hates religion, fine. Elton John is a celebrity, fine. Elton John opens his mouth to bash every religion in the world, wait a minute! I understand how he feels marginalized by the "Big Three" (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) but surely not all religion is "anti-gay". I'm sure there is ONE which is tolerable to gays. That was enough of that, next topic please.

Exhibit C: Media Bias/Shitty Grade 8 level-writing

Senator calls for probe into alleged spying

Updated Mon. Nov. 13 2006 5:19 PM ET

Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- A costly foreign trip by the Senate's security and defence committee has given rise to heated allegations the Conservative government is actively spying on Liberals in the upper chamber.

The motion came after Conservative Marjory LeBreton, the government leader in the Senate, admitted that one of her staff members looked into the cost of the defense committee's trip to Dubai in early September.

Oh no! Senator LeBreton got her staff to look at the cost of the defence committee's vacation in Dubai! Shame! This is such a silly article. There is nothing wrong with researching expenditures of committees. The only reason there is an article on it is because the Defence Committee took a holiday in Dubai, when they knew they would not be allowed into Afghanistan, and got burned in the public for it. My second beef: Horrid use of language! HORRID! If I get my secretary to look at the cost of my co-workers conference expenses, that's not spying! What are you in grade 8? "Mommy, Johnny was spying on me in the change room!" My god! We graduated English 12, well except for this reporter. I'm gonna mail the "CTV.ca Staff" (Read: Un-employed, work-at-home bloggers) some frigging dictionaries with a note that says "Dear retard, please consult this dictionary when you are going to write your headline, to see if your chosen word represents the correct word for the situation" The maybe we'll get some decent (I use the word loosely) headlines and articles. Maybe.

Harper lays down the law and clears the air

2006-10-20T23:46:00.000-07:00

Hello fans,
Thanks for reading this blog, and making it very popular on 'the Hill'. Even though I'm some no-name Independent backbencher now, I still plan on having fascinating interviews, like Kent, our wonderful Center Block Chief Janitor. Someone laid a log in the urinal this week,

and Kent has agreed to come to my office (He should find it easy, its stall 2) and tell us all the juicy details of the investigation.
Your hard(ly) working MP,
Garth Turner

Now to be fair, Turner didn't actually write that on his blog. That's merely my attempt to show what an attention-whore he is, what with his getting turfed from caucus and all. You see, it was all his doing:

"Turner warned a month ago about his blogging
Updated Wed. Oct. 18 2006 11:43 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

While maverick MP Garth Turner says he has no idea why the Conservative caucus kicked him out, CTV News has learned he was warned a month ago to stop playing reporter on his blog.
"Garth Turner is trying to wrap himself in the veil of innocence," Robert Fife, CTV's Ottawa bureau chief, said Wednesday. "But he knows why he got kicked out.

Fife said the party had been warning Turner since the summer to stop with the injudicious blogging."

I don't know about you, but when I'm told to stop doing something or risked getting kicked off the team, I stop doing it. Like, now. But not Turner, no, he's too 'maverick', independent and stupid to heed warnings. So he finds himself out of caucus and doomed to losing the next election, lest pimp his services to the fiberals and manage to become their 200th associate-critic. Pretty dumb move, but with his blog he can always fall back on the knowledge that people who accidentally find his page stay there for all of 1.2 seconds and move on to their original destination. Knowing Turner, he probably cracks the champagne for every 10th viewer he gets on his blog. Whatever, as long as I don't get a cork in the eye.

So moral of the story, boys and girls, when you get told by the top dog (Who's a rottweiler) to stop going against the team, stop. Unless you like getting kicked off the team, in which case you're probably french, and I pray for your soul.

"Clean Air Act receives rocky reception from MPs

Updated Fri. Oct. 20 2006 10:30 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

The Conservatives' proposed Clean Air Act received a rocky reception from opposition MPs and environmentalists, who were quick to dismiss the bill as a "hot air plan."

The minority government released the centrepiece of it "made-in Canada" environmental agenda on Thursday, a Clean Air Act that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050."

Wow, what a nice contradiction. First it's a "hot-air plan" then it's "aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050". So which is it, oh omni-present "CTV.ca News Staff"? How can a plan that cuts GHGs in half (That's 50%, Turner) by 2050 (More than the Liberal plan) be a "hot-air plan"? The answer: Biased reporting, which I talked about last article. That's what happens when you let lazy teens masquerading as "CTV.ca News Staff" post reports giving the SIGs (Special Interest Groups, who are always up for a quote) quotes lasting half the page.
Let's get down into the actual details:

Cut Greenhouse Gas levels in half by 2050, from 2003 levels.
Tax credit for transit passes takes 56,000 cars a day off the roads
Reduce auto-sector GHG emissions by 5.3 megatons by 2010 (Equivalent of "taking another several hundred thousand cars off the road")
Regulations to "slash emissions from motorcycles, outboard engines, all-terrain vehicles and off-road diesel engines"
By 2011, produce new regulations for vehicle fuel consumption
By 2025, set federal targets for smog and ozone levels
Harmonize vehicle emissions standards with those of the United States over the next 12 months
Align regulations with those of the U.S. for volatile organic compound emissions
Work with provinces to create system for mandatory reporting of air emissions and avoid regulatory overlap
Introduce environmental damages fund that applies non-compliance fines directly to cleanup

What does this all mean? It means over 10 solid points about cleaning up the air breathed by the citizens right now, and in the future. And none of these plans existed under the Libs. These are bona fide new rules, not merely re-announcements.
It also means the SIGs and Opposition parties are full of crap, as they just want a cute name like Kyoto to bandy about, but not real action. So the 3 defeat-ocrat parties (They all want to run away from Afghanistan, without even trying the opium first) will vote down the Clean Air Act and the Conservatives will have to wait for a majority (This spring or spring '07) for the mandate to pass it. I can't wait, because I love outdoor air warnings. Not. Let's hope enough of the plebians agree.

Let's talk: Healthcare

2006-09-30T23:52:00.000-07:00

B.C. gov't launches health-care 'conversation'

I won't post the rest of the article, because it's simply a biased hack-job on Campbell, and doesn't mention anything about the conversation on health. For fun let's look at what "CTV.ca News Staff" consider to be a 'news' 'article':

Biased adjectives: "VANCOUVER -- Depending on whose story you believe, B.C.'s health system will soon be swamped in a tidal wave of growing expenses or it's in a crisis of the provincial government's own making."

What a great idea! Start off the report by using the words "swamped", "tidal wave", "crisis" and for good measure, "own making". Because that's how everyone starts off their reports! Why not throw in as many negative adjectives as possible, because "swamped" is easier than doing research and writing "From 2002 to 2004, ER visits rose 5.53% while population growth was only 1.97%" or "ER visits rose more than double the population growth from 2002 to 2004" See! It's called research, and it's called writing objectively. I like it. Most intelligent people do, too. Now let's check out what else CTV has in store:

Stupid quotes: "New Democrat health critic Adrian Dix said he already knows the answer to the problem."

Oh really!! Mr. I-fudge-dates-on-memos has already found the answer! How? Oh I forgot, he's NDP, he's smarter than all of us normal people.

"Dix said Liberal government mismanagement and lack of support has weakened the health-care system."

Hmm. Let's inspect that so-called 'answer'. "Lack of support", what does he mean by that? According to my research, the provincial government spends 40% on one fucking ministry! Who's hogging all the money, you ask? Why, the HEALTH MINISTRY, of course! And how much is 40%, anyways? Oh, only close to 13 billion dollars! That's like half the PST I got charged on my TV! So, let's throw this "lack of support" "answer" into the "Dix is a bull-shiter" pile:

And no more quotes, either:

Ok, we're making good progress, so let's keep going troops:

The so-called "expert":"While health-care unions and advocacy groups say this conversation may be another way for government to bring in more privatization, Bob Evans, a health economist at the University of British Columbia, believes the premier is setting up to fight the health-care industry."

Another out for lazy journalists is to call up some university, any will do really as they're all left-wing, and ask for a quote from an all-too-happy professor. In this case the 'expert' is at UBC. And according to Mr. Expert the Premier is "setting up to fight the health-care industry." Wow, this sounds like another 'answer'!! We've barely finished the press conference and we've got 2 answer, already! Man, where do they find these guys! No back on topic, I don't know about you, but I don't know how you can 'fight' the health-care sector. I've tried. It doesn't matter how you offer the challenge to them, be it a soccer-match, steak-off, or weelchair derby. Or even a milk challenge. They always turn you down! No offense to this 'health economist' (What the hell is a health economis, anyways?) but that is the stupidest term he could have used. You can't pick a fight with an industry, sadly. It's like saying "Mackenzie Gans is setting up to fight the liberal-media" because, obviously, there is no way I can 'fight' media. It's the most useless and non-descriptive term there is! NEXT!

Going for the easy quote: Unions: "The president of the B.C. Nurses Union, Debra McPherson, supports the idea of "balanced" dialogue, but said she is concerned the conversation may open the door to more privatized health care."

This is also a widely-used tactic. Because Canada, and BC in peticular, have 1000000000000 different unions, it is very easy to call a leader for comment. They have unions for everything nowadays, including teachers, grocery baggers and call-center pukes. Because why make good money when you can spend it all on union dues! According to Debra McPherson (Who needs to nurse her weight down, like a lot, it's not healthy) "the conversation may open the door to more privatized health care" Now I don't know about you, but when did a conversation open the door to anything? When I have a conversation with friends, nothing opens, let alone a door. If a door opened after talking with a friend, I'd scream and run out of there at Mach 10. That's called haunted and I don't like haunted shit. So again, let's toss this silly little quote into the "Try privatizing your opinions, because I don't give a bull-shit about them" area of the garbage can.

The "BC has more/less _______" quote: "B.C. Health Coalition spokesperson Joyce Jones said she doesn't believe the premier when he said he doesn't want to challenge the Canada Health Act.

"Our province is the leading provider of privatized medicine. We have more private clinics in B.C. than we have anywhere else in Canada," she said."

No article is complete without a false 'fact' from some nobody special-interest-group. Of course no one knows who this "BC Health Coalition [of Unions]" is, but that's exactly the point. They're not union-funded, no, they're just concerned citizens like you and me! Yeah, right. In this case she says BC has the most private clinics in Canada. Which would be nice, except for everyone and their dog knows that it's Quebec that has the most. BC doesn't have as many because we're not a 'distinct society' like Quebec. Apparently since French people are d-bags (Douchebags, for those ignorant of the movie Bobby Dukes), they get special treatment. Whatever.

So there you have it, folks. I've just dissected a biased article. Now when you read news stories you can spot the cop-out from the reporter. Usually they're lazy so they accept union leaders B$ as gospel. Because why let facts and reality get in the way of a good story, right!

Politicizing the AIDS fight and investing in BC

2006-08-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

Politicizing the AIDS fight

Wow, what a whirlwind of AIDS news we have been deluged with lately! Thanks to the UN's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton, we have no shortage of front-page headlines about AIDS this week. Let's break it down:

"Harper lambasted for skipping AIDS conference"

Whoa, Whoa! Skipping? Since when is Harper, that PM guy with a busy schedule, obligated to go to an AIDS conference? Last time I checked it was "I know you're busy guy Prime Minister, but if you have the time...it'd be great" Maybe Stephen Lewis should back off the rhetoric and maybe he'll be surprised. Harper isn't a guy who likes to be told what to do by UN pukes, especially career pukes like Lewis. (He quit the Ontario Legislature after he got tired of losing--As the NDP)

How is the AIDS fight being politicized? Well consider this:

Clinton:

Former Democrat President (Where was his AIDS posturing when he was in Office?)

Stephen Lewis:

Former Leader of the Ontario NDP

I think it's pretty clear. When I see these two semi-successful former politicians spouting of claims about Bush and Harper, I don't see constructive criticism of world leaders, I see weenie liberals getting their kicks "Oh Harper, where art thou Harper!" in while media lap it up. I see it as petty and pathetic. Two left-wing guys with bleeding hearts trying to tell me condoms are the be-all, end-all method of AIDS prevention! (Hey Stephen, never heard of the ABC method?)

Abstain,
Be faithful or,
Use a Condom

One thing that, surprise, surprise, has completely missed Mr. Lewis is that abstinence works!

One last comment:

As you can see, the AIDS conference in Toronto was run on a very low-budget. The 4 hour concert notwithstanding. ;)

Next time you hear Clinton or Lewis spouting their pompous crap, tell them 'Hey assclown, abstain will you!" They should know what you're talking about, especially Clinton. Ouch.

The reason why I dislike the Clinton/Lewis grand-standing is, I don't like being told what to do on AIDS by guys who did nothing about it when they were in office.

Investing in BC

"Alcan announces $2 Billion investment plan for Kitimat smelter"

Wow! What about the plant that was "closing down" in 10 years! According to some reports, it means the smelter is open for at least another 35 years. Score one for BC! This announcement was so big; Gordon Campbell came back from his vacation to speak about it. Of course, no $2 Billion re-vitalization is complete without Kitimat trying to shut it down.

Here we go:

"The north-western British Columbia community of Kitimat is vowing to thwart a smelter expansion plan that would give Alcan Ltd. the right to sell excess power from its B.C. aluminium operations back to the hydro grid"

"Under the plan that was unveiled this week, Alan is set to increase its aluminium production by 60 per cent to 400,000 tonnes, a level that falls far short of the 550,000 tonne operation that the district is hoping for."

Why are they "vowing" to thwart it? Why because Alcan is only increasing production by 60% and not more, of course! Well, why doesn't Alcan just shut down the smelter in 10 years, like the original plan, and then see where Kitimat is? Try off the map.

It's a joke they're "fighting" a $2 Billion dollar expansion, seeing at how that does nothing but expand the lifeline of the aging plant. Well that's BC for you. "Expand our smelter by at least 25 years? Not in my backyard!"

Why Seattle is Vancouver on crack during Fourth of July

2006-07-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been back from Seattle for a couple hours but I still keep getting up to buy a Pepsi with no French labelling or a crappy hot-dog for $4.50 American. For those of you out of the loop, let me fill you in:

-Day 1: Take Amtrak Cascades with Daniel and Gabe (See Daniel, there is no c or e in Amtrak!) to Seattle and check-in to shabby Green Tortoise Hostel.

-Day 2: Go to Gasworks Park and experience amazing fireworks, take bus back to frugal hostel.

-Day 3: Take Cascades back to Vancouver and enjoy 2-hour delay in arrival which screws up my meeting. (When you get home at 2, and were supposed to catch the bus at 1, it's no longer possible to make the @%^&!$ meeting!)

Now that you all know the basics, let's get into the details!

Day 1: Taking the Amtrak Cascades is a fun trip, except on the Canadian side of the tracks. The whole Canadian side is a bumpy ride that puts the PNE to shame thanks to crappy maintenance from CN or whoever owns the tracks. Once on the US side I enjoyed a nice grilled chicken, paying far above the minimum $12 order. (This is funny because everything on the menu is way above $12 anyways, but I digress) After groping around Seattle to find the bus stop we take the bus close to the Hostel and begin the Great Search. Our first stop is an African-American fellow whose name I can't recall, who shakes our hands before engaging in some free-styling for our pleasure. Afterwards he informs us ("You're from Vancouver? That's where Hastings is right? Crazzy street man") that we can video-tape him free-styling for a small donation and show our friends when he hits it big. Since the policy of the Mackenzie-Daniel-Gabe Troupe is to not donate to drug-heads, we decline and move on in search of The Great Hostel. We walk up and down Pike and 1st, avoiding many bums and street-people until we realize after much walking that the hostel is on 2nd and Pike. Fortunately we reach the Hostel without getting jacked or raped. (Note to self: Green Tortoise Hostel is NOT in the good part of town!) I don't know what to say about the Hostel itself; it's cheap and you get what you pay for. To make things worse, one of the toilets stopped flushing, leaving a nice aroma for me when I go to brush my teeth or use the sink.

Day 2: McDonald’s rocks in the States...their TVs are tuned to Fox News! As I eat my Bacon and Egg Biscuit (Read: Not available in Canada) I can see Bush proclaim: "Our military makes everyday Independence Day" Sweet! After taking the bus it takes to Lake Union...except the opposite side. So walking, walking and catching a bus we get a surprise: More walking! We walk probably a quarter of the lake and finally reach Gasworks Park, 8 hours before the fireworks. Here is a picture of the park; in the background are the Gasworks which gives the park its name:

In reality this park and all the grass and gravel are filled with people and food vendors and there is no room for error when stumbling around. So we sit and try to not become extremely bored as 8 hours pass by. Here's a picture of the speakers which JackFM used to repeat its four-song play list ALL-day:

In the interests of full-disclosure, here's a photo of what the fireworks looked like:

The best part was the Chinook helicopter that flew in with a massive US-flag, it was awesome. Pictures may come in so stay-tuned.

The bus-ride back is where we witnessed the highlights of the night. The first thing is after 7pm you exit from the front of the bus and you pay as you leave. The second is a drunken couple get on and when he's comforting her as they break-up, she barfs on the bus. No matter, the barf-proof seats have a plastic covering to protect them:

Then a driver in an SUV angered by our driver displayed some great road-rage by driving beside our bus and motioning and yelling at a woman sitting beside a window about how silly the driver is, which made for great comedy as he was basically an angry mime to us. Then we got off the bus and walked, un-scathed, to our half-star hostel and slept. I actually got sleep that night because Gabe ran out of energy; something I didn't know was possible for him. Congrats, Gabe. Of course, we couldn't get to sleep right-away as some guy had to shout some choice words at his now ex-girlfriend, (No one wants you, etc) but after that sleep was attained!

Day 3: Wake up at 5:45am and check-out of hostel, proceed to McDonalds for delicious biscuit breakfast. Watch Fox News (And this in a blue state, none the less) and take bus to train station. Board train and proceed to suffer 2 hours worth of delays throughout the voyage. First it was "Trees on the track" then fixing some part of the track. After crossing the border the right rail on the bridge over the Fraser River needed repair (Thanks, CN) and that took close to an hour. Once we entered Vancouver we had to stop for the crew to operate the manual-switches for the tracks. (It's Canada, who needs automation?) And we de-trained only to face a long-ass line-up for Customs thanks to the 3 people working. It's Canada, so I guess with the high union-wages it's all we can afford. After getting on the Skytrain/Seabus/Bus, I was very happy to pay at the start of the trip and exit by the rear doors.

P.S. We also saw a fly-by of 2 Blue Angels, talk about patriotic:

Teachers vote to strike (When have we heard that before?)

2006-06-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well it seems like two weeks on the picket-lines weren't enough, as teachers are clamouring for a strike:

Cartel Prez Sims: "I'm 85.2% sure I'm drunk"

I don't know quite what to say--except I'm glad that I'm going to post-secondary where strikes are every couple of years instead of annually. The teachers want 24 percent, the province is offering 8. The only problem is 8 percent is what everybody else got, but then again the BCTF are always off the mark with reality--They're a union.

Final note: $3 billion for 38,000 teachers or $6 billion for 230,000 provincial workers?

Looks like Jinny has some homework to do.

Two good news stories in BC

2006-05-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well it's May 30, 2006. And you know what that means? Time for some great announcements courtesy of our provincial and federal governments, of course. First, let's start with Colin Hansen's trip to Asia...and its immediate results:

B.C. & Beijing Sign Investment Co-Operation Agreement

Well, that's a pretty good start! Granted most of the work was done by bureaucrats, but it wasn't going to sign itself. Let's look at it a bit more closely:

The memorandum will see Invest BC and the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau work toward mutual assistance in third-party business enquiries about investment opportunities. It also aims to assist in improving cultural understanding relating to business practices and provides an opportunity to discuss maximizing the return on investments related to hosting Olympic events. B.C. and Beijing also agree to organizing future business and government meetings, at least once a year, to continue building this Beijing-B.C. relationship.

That sure sounds good to me, especially the part about meeting "at least once a year" so it means they can actually set plans, goals and see them through. What a good move all-around. They can benefit from the 2008 Games, us in 2010. Now throw in the agreement with Alberta to reduce trade barriers (Why the heck were there barriers in the first place!) and you've got a powerhouse province ready to break-out West and over-seas, so props to the BC Liberals for that.

Now for our second news-item:

Now, I know what you're thinking "Why the heck does Harper have an extra-large ballot with 5 Conservatives, 2 Liberals, 2 Independents and an NDP on it?" Rest assured, it is simply a photo-op, and it is not a future ballot! What it is, however, is Harper kicking off his plan for fixed-election dates, in BC. For those of you that just missed what I said I'll repeat it:

HARPER ANNOUCING HIS PLAN FOR FIXED-ELECTION DATES IN BC!

Knock one more election-promise off the list. Since we have already have fixed election dates in BC I won't explain it further. Of course Harper being Harper also announced 400 other things:

-Limit new appointed Senators to 8 year-terms. No provincial consultation needed (Thank goodness for that!)

-Crack-down on street-racing (About time)

So 3 good things coming down the pipe, all of them announced in BC. How's that for Western representation? Pretty darn good, I say.

Why Harper will solve Softwood (Oh wait, he just did)

2006-04-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I'll try not to say it. I'll do my best. My very, very best. Oh I give up: I told you so!

For those of you out of the loop or text-challenged I've made a nice picture for you:

Now, take a look at my last post. Now study the picture once more. You could almost say I was prophetic, except I allow my picture to be published.

I don't know what else to say. An Open Skies Agreement with Britain, renewed NORAD and NAFTA, Softwood Lumber deal. Gosh, if this keeps up Harper won't have anything left to do after a year! (Though given the political climate, that's probably the plan)

The first Conservative budget in 13 years is coming on May 2nd, and I can't wait for the GST cut. I don't think I've ever anticipated a budget this much, ever. Except for Carole Taylor's budget, I mean her shoes are always so exciting!

Now I must leave, for I have two days to get the confetti made.

Why Harper will solve Softwood

2006-03-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

Harper met with Bush for the first time today for the first time, and he also met the Mexican President, Vicente Fox. I believe that Harper will settle the softwood lumber dispute once and for all for a couple of reasons:

-The knowledge and strength of International Trade Minister David Emerson

-The fact that Harper isn't Anti-American

-Bush and Harper both want a deal

Here's a picture of Harper, Bush and Fox in the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza (I've been there!)

And that's about it; strip away the Anti-American rhetoric from the Liberals and it's amazing what you can get done. I think a softwood deal, when done, is only the beginning.

The controversy that never ends

2006-02-19T22:11:00.000-08:00

Well here it is, my take on the Muhammed-gate cartoon controversey. I think it was bold, and brave, for Jyllands-Posten to publish those drawings. It was also the right thing to do. While it is honourable the Koran forbids any drawing of Muhammed for fear of idoltry, not allowing any drawing also puts Muhammed on a pedestal. It is saying that despite freedom of speech, that all other religions are lampooned and made fun of in editorial cartoons and the like, Muhammed on the other hand is special and above that. The dictionary defines a idoltry as "Blind or excessive devotion to something." Now if rioting and killing over cartoons, many of which were under-whelming, isn't idoltry then I don't know what is. Before I continue I'll let you look at the cartoons:

After all the outrage and endless press, it's a bit disappointing isn't it? I mean, these are just 12 different artists view of Muhammed, one of Allah's prophets. Some of them are offensive, some of them odd, but most are simply, well, not that exciting. Though I don't want to dwell on the state-sponsored and organized rallies in Syria, Iran (Keep in mind thanks to state censorship in many Middle Eastern countries people haven't seen the cartoons, and where else would they get a Danish flag but the government? You sure as heck can't buy one on the street in those countries) and elsewhere, I want to focus on the spine of the Western Media, or lack there-of.

So here we are, in Canada and the United States of America. They are the two most free countries in the world in every sense...or so I thought. So if we have such glorious and strong freedom of speech laws in both countries, why haven't any national newspapers published the cartoons? It was left to the Western Standard to publish them in Canada, and I have no idea who did like-wise in the States. No offense to the WS, which I think is Canada's best (political) magazine, but they're hardly a national publication in the normal sense of the word. When I meant publish I meant front-page on a national daily newspaper, not monthly Western-based magazine. I want the National Post to publish those cartoons without bending to the Muslim-apologists, and showing the world that Canada will not water down our Freedom of Speech traditions in the face of some Muslim extremists.

Here's a map of countries that have published the cartoons:

I don't think Canada or the US should be mentioned; we don't deserve it.

There have been no shortage of apologists either:

"Let me say that, honestly, I do not understand why any newspaper [would] publish the cartoons today," Annan told reporters in New York City on Thursday.

"I regret the publication of this material in several media outlets. While we understand this issue is divisive, our government wishes that people be respectful of the beliefs of others. I commend the Canadian Muslim community for voicing its opinion peacefully, respectfully and democratically." Said Prime Minister Stephen Harper

While the remark from Coffee Annan is no surprise, Harper's surely is. The only excuse I can think of is Harper's minority government status, but even that is stretching it. I mean why on earth would Harper "Regret" the publication? How many Canadian embassies or lives have been torched? Zero! How many times has it been published in Canada? Once! Harper has nothing, nothing, to "regret". If anything he should regret that CanWest, GlobeMedia and the Globe and Mail haven't published it. Look at how the PLO and others think of Jewish people (And the West)

Al-Watan, February 11, 2006 (Saudi Arabia)
The cartoon's headline: "The Western Media."

Who's the victim now? Where's the "Canadian Muslim community" on this cartoon?

Oh well that's all I have to say on the issue, for now. I'll probably be back the next time an embassy is bombed, and Harper says it was justified.

My Bus Adventure, AKA Groundhog Day

2006-01-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know, I know. Usually my blog is 110% political but I decided to write about something different this time:

So I get off school at 2:20 thanks to a last period spare. What do I do? Catch a bus in the pouring rain at 2:30 so I can be at Saint Georges around 4:15. That’s practically 2 hours on the bus. 2 hours of walking in the rain to find my connecting bus, of which there were 2. As you can see, it took a major effort and lots of patience to get there. Naturally, I expected to enter a room full of serious thinking and brainstorming, a room over-flowing with people that were there at the prompt 4PM start for the all-important mock session…so what did I find? I found a room with a paltry amount of delegates, there were probably 20 tops. Behind them were an equally paltry amount of staff, doing not planning but talking. After the staff moved to the grad room we swiftly moved to the foosball table and proceeded to put the whole ‘planning the crisis’ thing on the back burner. You know the burner that no one uses because it’s all rusty and gross. Yes, that one. So when I was again standing in the rain, at a bus stop, this time at 5:30 I wondered why I had come all this way. I concluded that it was the single biggest waste of time I have ever done. Of course this being me, the best was yet to come.

I took the B-Line and it was dark, the windows fogged up. You couldn’t see a damned thing. After being on the bus for what seemed like an eternity I got off the B-Line. What stop was it? 41^st avenue, the VERY same stop where I boarded the bus close to an hour ago! The B-Line had done a frigging loop and because of the piss-poor conditions I missed the gazillion stops I could’ve gotten off at! So I got off and boarded the Granville bus, which I assumed stopped at the GRANVILLE SkyTrain. After a couple of stops I ask the bus driver, who spoke poor English and was rude, if he stopped at Granville SkyTrain. The response? “No, you going da wong way” So I have to get off this bus and cross the street and wait for the next one. Instead of the 8 Granville it’s the 12 Downtown. SAME FRICKING DRIVER! Am I seeing things? It’s a different bus on a different side of the street, but the same guy! So I take it to Granville SkyTrain and get off and go home. Soo, let’s recap:

I went by the 41^st avenue station a total of 3 times

I saw one bus driver twice

I boarded a total of 6 buses

I was using transit for over 5 hours

I also stopped by Burger King, where I had an Angus burger with a coke, poutine and hot apple turnover. I was full at the end, holy crap.

I am never taking the bus again to Saints for a stupid VMUN meeting; I’ll tele-commute or something.

My Christmas gift to the Conservatives: Email

2005-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Some of you are probably asking "Don't the Conservatives already have email?" And, like you, I thought so too. That is, until the first Leaders Debate on the 16th. Normally before such debates party workers flood inboxes with invitations to the obligatory pre-debate rally, and this being Canada it's always outside the CBC building downtown. During the provincial campaign last May the BC Liberals had a well-oiled email list that they repeatedly spammed (Err, I meant mailed) to great effect. And yours truly, forgetting the Conservatives are the party of (dis)organization, expected the same of his federal comrades. I was very disappointed in the outcome. I watched as the hours ticked by and my inbox was lonelier than Michael Jackson at a McDonalds without a Play Place. Ouch. Notwithstanding, the Conservatives managed to get a good crowd at the rally, (Somehow) I'm guessing they communicated through ESP. Meanwhile I was at a Christmas party, but would've liked to have known about it. I think Harper and co will really like it. I mean, think about it, now we can have actual crowds at events! Plus it means when Harper goes onto a talk-show we can stack the lines with Conservative supporters! I hope he likes it, and even if he doesn't it's easy to return, he just has to click a couple of links. No standing in line and dealing with cranky service reps, I think even Harper can smile at that. My next blog will target the cheesy two-bit ads the party has been assaulting us with over the airwaves. I recommend you have a back-up channel in place in case one of those ads comes on, when that happens to me I turn to channel 54 for some sports highlights to calm me down. For now enjoy Christmas.

Get your toques...X-Mas election here we come!

2005-11-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a Christmas present! I tell ya, it's the best one I'm gonna get this holiday season, that's for sure. A chance to kick out the fiberals and get gifts from people! Well, in case you don't already know, during the course of a federal election campaign the media in Canada become allergic to covering the Conservative party in a fair light; of course, the master of them all is the CBC. Look at the headline on their webpage:

"Kim Campbell says Harper won't win"

Oh my goodness! If the CBC wasn't full of crap I'd think the Conservatives 'won't win', but I know better. Like, for example, how Kim Campbell made the PCs go from 169 seats to 2. Anybody want to tell me why anybody listens to her? She's a nut, how else can you say "An election is no time to discuss serious issues" right in the middle of a campaign! Are you retarded?!? So, now that we know she's crazy, let's move on to exhibit B:

"Economists dump on Harper's GST-lowering plan"

Dump? Did I just read dump? I don't know about you, but I take a dump in the toilet, I dump manure on someones lawn when they miss field-goals (Oops, I mean in the garden ;) ) I don't dump on an idea! If everyone did that you'd never have any new ideas, because it'd be too stinky to get dumped on all the time. My goodness, is that what the CBC is wanting me to do? Well, I'm not going to do it. Why? Because lowering the GST is a DAMNED GOOD IDEA. I don't know how you can call the GST a 'consumption tax' with a straight face. How can I not consume? I have to eat don't I? So, since I have to consume items like a Fatburger here and a bag of manure there, I have no choice but to pay the GST. Wow, doesn't seem like such a smart tax now does it? Unless you could somehow in some un-conceivable way get everything on the black-market; but black-market Grey Cup tickets are hard to find, harder still an under-the-table Fatburger. You tried doing it? It's next to impossible, even when the whole burger is in your mouth, they always notice. I'd love for the GST to be lowered, or *Gasp*, eliminated. But that's not gonna happen because, well, it's simple math that you don't have to consume! Silly Mackenzie, always getting caught up in reality!

On a brighter note, since the vote is on Jan. 23 I can vote! I will be voting Conservative, of course, and have lot's of blog updates during the campaign. You can bet on it.

BCTF...Because Canadians Think Fallaciously

2005-10-08T02:18:00.000-07:00

Why the word 'Fallacious'?

Fallacious:

Containing or based on a fallacy: a fallacious assumption. (IE: Teachers deserve what they want because they're teachers)

Enough said.

Whew, I thought I could take a rest for awhile! You know, root on those sterling BC Lions or just-back Vancouver Canucks, but alas, no such luck. The unions are a calling. Next up, the British Columbia Teachers Federation, the closest thing to hell God could give us. Sorry, I couldn't stop myself. Why are they hell-in-a-handbasket, you ask? Let me fill you in, Joe Sixpack:

-Our young Conservative is in elementary school, and spring break is extended for a week due to teachers strike. Strike 1.
-Now he is in high school, and school is disrupted due to teachers cutting off all extra-curricular activites. Sports teams and the big end-of-the-year play, to name a few, are cut off at the knees. Strike 2.
-In his Senior year now, with expectations running high. Forget about expections, teachers on strike again, this time for more money. Strike 3.

In baseball, they'd be out by now, but this isn't baseball. This is BC, the furthest place from common sense as possible. Before this latest strike even began, it was pronounced illegal by the Labour Relations Board (LRB). No matter, teachers will strike anyways, and we'll let them strike too. Idiots.

On a side note, the funniest thing today was watching the news hour and seeing students picketing with little cute 'Solidarity' signs in Vancouver. Of course, the students had no fucking clue on why the teachers were actually striking, except to say that, well, "They're teachers". Idiots.

I don't know what pisses me off more, the fact that my education is put on hold (My History class is already behind) because a bunch of people who shouldn't even be teaching anyways want more money, or because it's been illegal since the get-go. Of course, the BCTF will tell you it's about 'class-sizes' (My Math class has 12 students, isn't that small enough?) and 'students' but since the only thing they can negociate is teacher salaries, it's all B$. How predictable. The other thing that 'Grinds my Gears' is that teachers get 3 months off a year. 3 months! That's 12 weeks! Plus they can work summer school, so they really, honestly, have absolutely nothing to complain about.

Don't forget, teachers start work at 9 and get off at 3:25, with a nice round hour for lunch. That's like 5 and a half hours of work per day, to put it in perspective let's compare it to a normal office job:

-Start work around 7:45
-Half-hour lunch, or just eat lunch while continuing to work.
-Leave office around 4:45

That's an average of 8 and a half hours of work. Notice no annual striking at office towers.

So, it boils down to 5.5 hours of work or 8.5. No wonder it's hard to find a job as a teacher!

Since I've typed a lot I'll just leave you with my letter to the editor which I hope gets published, and not bother to talk about how teachers can bank their sick/vacation days.

Strike Affects Students Too

While some teachers do a song and dance for the cameras and BCTF President Jinny Sims compares this illegal strike to the battle against segregation, there is a serious side to this dispute. Thousands of students across the province have had their education put on hold because teachers are demanding a 15% wage raise on top of the 7.5% increase they received last time. Parents have had to take time off work to assist students, particularly those in Grade 12, who are worrying about important upcoming exams. This strike also affects school sports teams, many whom have had their upcoming games, tournaments or even seasons cancelled. This disruption is entirely the fault of selfish teachers who want to be the only union receiving a wage hike. I find it insulting that the BCTF claims that this strike is ‘for the students’.

Cry, Cry Again

2005-08-27T01:55:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well. Well. Just when you thought Martin and co were busy over-cooking steaks (Fair-trade, Organic, Kosher, David Orchard-approved and Svend Robinson-endorsed) and crashing the practice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders to give them a 'pep' talk and probably some coaching advice ("Just say they're anti-Canadian, I do and it works everytime...now watch this throw!")

But no, that is not enough. They have to do something, even if that means meddling in, say, CRTCs affairs, because they have nothing else to do. (Unfortunately, the Roughriders decided to stick with Nealon Greene as their starting Quarterback)

Report: Cabinet will ask CRTC to overturn satellite radio licenses

The Canadian Press reported Friday that the federal government is ready to ask the CRTC to rescind its decision to licence satellite radio.

CP quoted official close to the file: "Everything suggests that the 1. cabinet will ask the CRTC to overturn its decision."

...

The decisions upset many in the Quebec artistic community, which complained that 2. only 10 per cent of the services will be Canadian, and only 2.5 per cent will be francophone.

The groups argued that the CRTC decision contradicts the principles and objectives of Canadian broadcasting policy.

...

CHUM and Astral are unhappy with the CRTC decision. They said the 3. new competition from Sirius and CSR could harm their conventional radio stations.

...

John Bitove, who owns CSR -- a partner of U.S.-based XM Satellite Radio -- was upset by the apparent willingness of the cabinet to intervene. If the decision is revoked, Bitove estimates it could 4. cost the Canadian economy $2 billion over the next 10 years.
Bitove said he believes the opposition stems mainly from discontent over the number of French-language stations.

First things first:

-One, since when can Cabinet over-rule the CRTC? What's the point of paying all those bureaucrats cushy salaries if we won't even respect their decision? Next thing you'll tell me that the appointed and un-educated Justices of the Peace want Brinks to park in parking stalls, reality be-damned. Oh wait, that's already happened.

-Second, what's wrong with 'only' forcing Sirius and others to have 10 percent 'Canadian' content and 2.5 percent 'Francophone'. ("Hey! I was born in Canada (Or Quebec)...now play my music or else!") They shouldn't be forced to play anything, let alone 10 percent this and 2.5 percent that, heck even China is lightening up. (Hey Canada, that's your cue)

-Thirdly, what's wrong with this sentence? Since when does a new competitor on the block not result in more competition? Am I missing something? Oh yeah, it's Canada, they probably expect some hand-outs. (Mackenzie Tip: For those concerned CHUM and Astral workers, just quit and join the CBC, you don't work and you might even become the next Governor-General!...oh wait they're locked out, never mind)

-Fourthly, $2 Billion over 10 years! All because some fiberal ministers want their child to get on satellite radio? Give me a break comrades! I tell you what, I'll set-up an online radio station through Shoutcast and give your children 100% airtime! That's right, One-hundred percent! You know the best part? After one day I'll resign for 'Personal Reasons' so then you can also have 100 percent control of the station too! Wouldn't that be wonderful? Think about it, you could have 3/4 of the music Francophone and 1/4 Canadian! Or, you could have 6/10 Canadian and 4/10 Francophone! The possibilities are endless! (Save this ratio for a rainy day: 1/45th Canadian! Trust me you'll never get it but it's fun trying!)

I'd better finish this 'article', because even Conservatives need sleep. Some of you may be wondering why I chose such a title, and my answer is simple: When you see Martin's weak throw and Kerry's pathetic catch, you start to cry. Then when you read the article and my insights, you cry again because it's so ridiculous; So you cry, cry again.

P.S. Hey, haven't I heard that somewhere before? ;)

Get ready, it's pick the Governor General time!

2005-08-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

It's the time of year again when the Prime Minister hand picks whoever the heck he wants to be the rubber stamp for the government. Last time it was long-time CBC host Adrienne Clarkson, who showed she was very adept at running up large travel budgets and, well, running up pretty much any budget. (Doubled staff, etc) Seeing her accomplishments you'd think she'd be a shoo-in for another term but, no, she's on the way out. Maybe she didn't spend enough. Yeah, that's probably it. Enter Michaelle Jean:

Jean, a journalist, is probably best known to English Canadians as the host of The Passionate Eye and Rough Cuts on CBC Newsworld.

I can't see what's possibly wrong with her: She knows French, is Black and worked for the holier-than-thou CBC, who are, of course, always right.

I think the CBC should change their name to NeXtGG-TV. I'm sorry fellow citizens but I'm ashamed that Michaelle Jean is our next GG. Ashamed not only because the GG is a useless post, but because Michaelle Jean is nothing but a CBC-Francophone-Journalist. Oh wait, I've just hit all the prerequisites to become a GG. I'm not even going to start on Larry Campbell's senator-ship, except to say he's finally come out of the closet and announced his liberal-ness.

Canadians watching more Canadian television says CRTC Report

2005-06-30T02:36:00.000-07:00

Canadians are watching less television, but what they do watch is increasingly from Canadian broadcasters, according to a new report from the CRTC.

The average viewer watched about 20 fewer minutes of TV, roughly the length of one sitcom.

The good news for the TV industry is that even though people are watching less TV, more of what they watch is broadcast from Canada.

Full Article

Well, well, well. Now that the CRTC has found that Canadians are watching more Canadian programming than before we can probably expect even more funding for the CBC. Because who needs shorter hospital waiting lists or more money in our pockets when we have such fine institutions as the CBC ready for more money! Nevermind that the CBC recently got millions more dollars a couple of months ago, I'm sure Rick Mercer will be clamouring for more. I'd watch his show to find out except I don't know when it's on, because the brain trusts at the CBC rotate Mercer's (And everyone else’s) show times with the same frequency that Carole James utters the sentence "Gordon Campbell's broken promises..." Frightful indeed. I'm off to bed so I can get some sleep before the CBC hacks start showing off, they're probably going to buy some Jags (They got 'performance bonuses', didn't you get the memo?) and do doughnuts in front of my house. I told you it was tough being a Conservative in Canada.

Argyle Article

2005-06-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

Why the BC Liberals won a second term
Editorial

With the election results complete, save for a couple recounts, British Columbians have re-elected the BC Liberals to a second term in office. This is highlighted by Gordon Campbell’s re-election as Premier, the first re-elected premier in over twenty years. There are many reasons that abound as to why the Liberals were re-elected, some say it’s because Carole James is too in-experienced for the job, others because the NDP is still tied to the big unions. But the real reason is because the BC Liberals performed the equivalent of a quadruple-bypass on the government’s finances. When they formed government in 2001 the provinces finances were a mess, there was a $3.8 billion structural deficit and debt interest payments were eating up over eight million dollars a day. So what did the government do? They cut spending and reined in corporate and personal income tax rates, spurring growth. After 9/11, BSE, SARS, Avian Flu and the Softwood lumber the government is projecting a record surplus, how you ask? Through sound fiscal management, sure nobody wanted to cut government spending, that meant people would be let go, but it had to be done. You cannot spend more than you earn, which was the staple of the NDP governments in the ‘90s. Not everyone is happy, especially the over-paid janitors that took a 15% pay cut and the teachers laid-off because they no longer had a class to teach due to declining enrolment, but for the most part British Columbians like the 25% tax cut they received in 2001 and hope that more is to come. That’s why the BC Liberals were rewarded with a second mandate.

There is also the issue of advertising. The NDP chose a negative path, one filled with “Broken promise this” and “Broken promise that”, while the BC Liberals opted mostly for the optimist route. The NDPs campaign had little traction with votes, which is not surprising since the Liberals kept over 90% of the promises in the 2001 New Era Document. Their campaign was an un-inspired, simply a “He’s a big meanie and I’m the nice guy (Or in this case, girl)” approach that was mildly (in)effective. While some of the Liberals five goals for a ‘Golden Decade’ were a bit lofty, at least they had goals to begin with. The public wants to vote for a vision, not a politician foaming at the mouth about how the private sector is the devil and we must use unions for everything (The Auditor-General has confirmed the Abbotsford P3, or Public-Private-Partnership, hospital will save the government $39 million which can be re-invested in patient-care) We will have to wait and see whether Carole James gets the message and dumps the unions or whether she will continue in her own bubble and continue to be the lackey for Jim Sinclair and others.

Air Canada Tango not so bad

2005-04-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

This past week I had the pleasure of flying Air Canada Tango from Vancouver to Toronto and vice versa. Let me tell you, I was blown away by the 'new' Air Canada. Despite all the horror stories that always seem to be in the media about the service being the equivalent of a swirlie, I was pleasantly surprised. The in-flight meal was free, along with the complimentary Globe and Mail and National Post. The movies were craptacular, but at least they were there. On the flight to Toronto it was National Treasure, starring Nicolas Cage, it must've been targeted to six year-olds because it was simply ridiculous. I mean, is it really possible to locate an ancient, lost ship on Antarctica with a medal detector from your Junior Discoverer kit? And the ship is only buried in six inches of snow? For me, it was just a bit of a stretch. I tuned off after five minutes. The movie on the flight back was Electra which wasn't much better, in my opinion. If I wanted to watch pablum I'd go see Ben Stiller's latest movie. The meals were good, scratch that they were great. French toast and apple slices on the way over, chicken and potatoes on the way back. The music was a sob story, however. There were ten music channels, and all ten were suitable for an elevator. I think you get my point. What added insult to injury, however, was the french music channel. Since it was Air Canada, the federal government makes them do everything twice, even music. The songs were almost exclusively the Beatles, in french! That weasel culture my mom made me swear I'd never indulge in. Now I know why, with such lyrics as "Je dis Hello, tu dis Goodbye!" I shudder to this day when reminded of how horrible that translation was, as if the Beatles are good in anything but English. Overall I'd give Air Canada 4 out of 5, it would've been a 4.5 but those movies left something to be desired. That's my latest Rant Report.

Star candidates heat up the race

2005-04-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

Well Justice Wally Oppal made it official today, he's going to be running for the BC Liberals in Vancouver-Fraserview. He isn't the first star candidate, former CBC Chair Carol Taylor will run in Vancouver-Langara and Olympic gold medallist Daniel Igali will be in the riding of Surrey-Newton. My feelings are mixed on star candidates, on one hand you have a celebrity running for your party, which is always a good thing (Who doesn't want good press?) But on the other hand you have somebody else being bumped aside just because they're not famous enough. I can say this though, at least these candidates weren't appointed by Party HQ (As the federal liberals have done numerous times in past elections) But that doesn't mean that they were free of party-applied pressure. Tony Bhullar (Surrey-Newton) Val Anderson (Vancouver-Langara) and Ken Johnston (Vancouver-Fraserview) were all 'shafted' by the party in one way or another. Though in the case of Mr. Anderson and Mr. Johnston, there weren't running again anyways, so that leaves Mr. Bhullar, who will be running in Surrey Panorama. Still, I leave with my gut telling me that this isn't true democracy. In the federal Conservative party, party brass can't appoint anyone. But then again, the Conservative party never gets 'star candidates'. In the riding of Vancouver-Langara there were two people gunning for the nomination, Jennifer Clarke and Sandy McCormick and they got told to 'butt out'. Those two were truly, in the full sense of the word, shafted. However, at least they got reimbursed by the party for expenses.

All in all, I still haven't made up my mind. It helps that two of the three MLAs were retiring anyways, however all I want is fair democracy. I mean if Carol Taylor is so good, then she can beat Jennifer Clarke and Sandy McCormick, right? Or maybe I shouldn't ask that question and just smile and nod. That's my rant for today folks.

My inaugural blog

2005-04-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog. Ever. I started this blog to give insight into the provincial election that is happening on May 17th 2005. That and I wanted to start my own blog. I won't be updating it every day, just when I have something useful to update it with, which will probably be every couple of days or weekly. Definitely as the campaign heats up I will have more to report.