Wow, apparently Ralph Goodale is being agreeable. I fully confess that I didn't see that one coming. Ralph was even speculating that we might have an agreement before the Speaker's deadline. For Ralph to be this happy and agreeable, the Government has to be cooperating. Is it possible that the Government did not take this stand to cover up their own wrong doing, but that perhaps maybe just maybe this was always about not releasing sensitive information which could assist the enemies we are currently fighting?
I will be interested to see what compromise is reached, and who will be sitting on this counsel. I know that I wouldn't trust Ujjal Dosangh with my pizza order, much less sensitive military documents. I don't care if he was once Premier because he was never elected Premier. When he ran as Premier, the NDP was reduced from majority to 2 seats. Not unlike Kim Campbell, but without her integrity.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Canada's Next Prime Minister: Ignatieff or Layton?
With Iggy sending the message to the Governor General this weekend that she stands to personally gain if she grants a coalition request in the event of a possible non confidence vote before the end of her term; that really begs the question who should lead that new government? Jack Layton is an option, and so is Mike Ignatieff. Just to be sure that all your heads don't explode while considering these two options, I decided it prudent to add a third option. I had to ask myself, which comical character in the world of pop culture would most resemble Ignatieff and/or Layton running a country. Look no further than the Swedish Chef.
I can only imagine what it would look like if Iggy were in power creating government policy. It might look a lot like this. On second thought, it would probably look more like this...
I can only imagine what it would look like if Iggy were in power creating government policy. It might look a lot like this. On second thought, it would probably look more like this...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
David Cameron May The Force Be With You
I bet right about now that the British Tories wish they had a leadership candidate as strong as Stephen Harper to run in this election, but alas they are left with David Cameron. I don't know British politics well enough to know if he was the best candidate they had available, and I don't know if Cameron would make a good Prime Minister. I know that as a Canadian, I really liked Tony Blair, even if by the end of his term he was reduced to "yo Blair" status. I also know for sure that I don't like Gordon Brown, and I would never support a party calling themselves the "Liberal Democrats". By virtue of this lack of options, David Cameron is my man and I am cheering for him to win.
I know that the Brits are afraid of a minority Parliament, because under the commonwealth democratic model, minorities are generally dysfunctional. That is the downside of a Parliament that can fall any day for a variety of reasons. The behavior of opposition parties under these circumstances revolves around crass opportunism, where the good of their own electoral prospects is placed above the good of the country. I am anxiously waiting for Canada to return to majority Government, which our democracy was designed for.
I know that the Brits are afraid of a minority Parliament, because under the commonwealth democratic model, minorities are generally dysfunctional. That is the downside of a Parliament that can fall any day for a variety of reasons. The behavior of opposition parties under these circumstances revolves around crass opportunism, where the good of their own electoral prospects is placed above the good of the country. I am anxiously waiting for Canada to return to majority Government, which our democracy was designed for.
Jim Flaherty Was Wrong
I am outraged at Jim Flaherty. The deficit is not what he told us it would be. Jim was wrong, and this culture of deceit must end. As it turns out, our deficit will come in far smaller than expected, to the tune of $13 billion dollars. I fully expect the opposition to rally their collective anger around this smaller than expected deficit that the Finance Minister told us it would be larger. I expect projections to be exactly right, and anything else is simply unacceptable. I can see the lead zinger in Question Period now, "will the Prime Minister do what's right and fire this Minister for Canada doing a better job than he thought we would!"
As much as the Oracle of Page wants to make deficit forecasts for the next 100 years, making GDP forecasts in a tumultuous global economic environment is going to produce a very high rate of error. If we can't even accurately predict the deficit for the current fiscal year, how are we supposed to forecast it 10 years out? Does anyone truly know what a barrel of crude will cost in 2020? Not even the wise foreseeing of Kevin Page can decipher that from his crystal ball.
As much as the Oracle of Page wants to make deficit forecasts for the next 100 years, making GDP forecasts in a tumultuous global economic environment is going to produce a very high rate of error. If we can't even accurately predict the deficit for the current fiscal year, how are we supposed to forecast it 10 years out? Does anyone truly know what a barrel of crude will cost in 2020? Not even the wise foreseeing of Kevin Page can decipher that from his crystal ball.
Political Donations
I am curious to know just how much money the average Canadian donates to political parties. When Frank Graves donates $11,000, where does that rank him relative to the rest of the population? I would also be curious to know how the Liberals have been doing for fundraising in the last few months. They purchased the fundraising software used by Obama to amass incredible wealth and buy the Presidency. How is that working out for Iggy? Were they able to raise money from Thinkapalooza?
On a personal note, this week I was very excited to receive my first monetary donation. Sure it took 5 months and 165,883 page views, but nonetheless it feels very satisfying to know that someone was willing to share their hard earned money because they enjoy what I do. My goal is to raise enough money to purchase a blackberry so that I can blog from anywhere. My car lease expires shortly and I can't afford a new vehicle until I finally pay off my student loans, so soon it will be a public transit life for me.
To those of you who would like to make a donation, it is all done through PayPal. They keep all your financial information confidential, but be sure to leave your address so that I can send you an autographed thank you card! Are donations to political bloggers tax deductible?
On a personal note, this week I was very excited to receive my first monetary donation. Sure it took 5 months and 165,883 page views, but nonetheless it feels very satisfying to know that someone was willing to share their hard earned money because they enjoy what I do. My goal is to raise enough money to purchase a blackberry so that I can blog from anywhere. My car lease expires shortly and I can't afford a new vehicle until I finally pay off my student loans, so soon it will be a public transit life for me.
To those of you who would like to make a donation, it is all done through PayPal. They keep all your financial information confidential, but be sure to leave your address so that I can send you an autographed thank you card! Are donations to political bloggers tax deductible?
Barack Obama Hates Black People
It is incumbent on the President of the United States to protect American people and soil from harm. When I watch this oil slick slamming into the Louisiana coast with their large African American population, I cannot escape the conclusion that Barack Obama must hate black people. Why else would he let this happen? He just sat on his hands in the oval office and watched this tragedy unfold on CNN instead of getting out there and doing something about it. I find this appalling. We should just make Anderson Cooper President, because there is someone not afraid to jump into the hornet's nest.
I would like to start a drive to impeach Obama for not doing something about this disaster sooner; instead he waited while it was coming to America. Shame on you Mr. President. I don't know how you look into that mirror at night!
I would like to start a drive to impeach Obama for not doing something about this disaster sooner; instead he waited while it was coming to America. Shame on you Mr. President. I don't know how you look into that mirror at night!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Conservative Music
After the roaring success of last week's question "what is your favourite conservative themed movie" (Gran Torino won in a landslide), I would like to ask what is your favourite conservative song? It doesn't have to be written by a conservative, its original meaning could have been very liberal, but the words say something to you that makes you proud to be a right winger. I don't think Bob Dylan intended for "the times they are a changing" to be a 2010 Conservative rallying cry, but that's what I hear when I listen to it now. Is Billy Joel a conservative, because I think he really nailed "we didn't start the fire"…
So your answer doesn't have to be a song that was conservative to the artist, but rather conservative to you. Some of my nominees:
1) Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses
2) Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger
3) Smooth Operator by Sade
4) Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious BIG
5) Looking for Freedom by David Hasselhoff
So your answer doesn't have to be a song that was conservative to the artist, but rather conservative to you. Some of my nominees:
1) Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses
2) Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger
3) Smooth Operator by Sade
4) Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious BIG
5) Looking for Freedom by David Hasselhoff
Which New Dipper would you like to see retire next?
Happy Retirement to Judy Wasaleesalice. I hardly knew thee. The question of the day is which NDP MP would you like to see put out to pasture next? It is not an easy choice, with blowhards like Pat Martin and Thomas Mucliar eroding public confidence in our Parliament more and more each passing day. I'm sure a lot of people would like to see Jack Layton retire to focus on his health. I'm sure a lot of people would like to see Jack Layton retire because they just can't stand him anymore (Dippers included). Libby Davies is on TV a lot, but frankly I can't tell you what she has said in the last two years because I have successfully trained myself to reflexively hit the mute button each time she starts talking. I have considered lobbying the CBC to put a warning at the bottom of the screen when she speaks:
**prolonged exposure to Libby's voice may cause permanent irreparable damage to your ear drums**
There may be one or two names who should have been included on the retirement list, lesser known MPs who really grind your gears. But if you can't choose a name from this list, you can't decide...
**prolonged exposure to Libby's voice may cause permanent irreparable damage to your ear drums**
There may be one or two names who should have been included on the retirement list, lesser known MPs who really grind your gears. But if you can't choose a name from this list, you can't decide...
UN Congo Mission: Just Say No
The United Nations asked Canada to lead the UN mission in the Congo after we are finished in Afghanistan next year, and we have declined. I am assuming that the UN officials responsible for choosing to ask Canada do not watch our parliament's Question Period and did not consult Ujjal Dosangh on the conduct of our troops in the field. If they did, they would have had grounds to suspect that our military are marauding war criminals who will deliberately send innocent Congolese farmers to be tortured.
Personally I wish the people of the Congo all the best, but I lost respect for the UN mission in that country when they botched that election. I am not interested in Canada taking command of that mission, especially when we are going to need military resources for our aid work in Haiti. Some day when I'm rich and famous, I would love to be able to visit the Congo and go into the jungle searching for man eating apes and the lost mines of King Soloman. I would even invite Laura Linney and Tim Curry. I support an international military presence in the Congo, but now is not a good time for Canada to take that responsibility. We have other responsibilities.
I started a poll on this yesterday, and thus far the response is overwhelming. There is no appetite to jump into the Congo when we complete combat operations in Afghanistan.
Do you think that Canada should send a large peacekeeping force to the Congo?
No (96%)
Yes (2%)
Undecided (1%)
Personally I wish the people of the Congo all the best, but I lost respect for the UN mission in that country when they botched that election. I am not interested in Canada taking command of that mission, especially when we are going to need military resources for our aid work in Haiti. Some day when I'm rich and famous, I would love to be able to visit the Congo and go into the jungle searching for man eating apes and the lost mines of King Soloman. I would even invite Laura Linney and Tim Curry. I support an international military presence in the Congo, but now is not a good time for Canada to take that responsibility. We have other responsibilities.
I started a poll on this yesterday, and thus far the response is overwhelming. There is no appetite to jump into the Congo when we complete combat operations in Afghanistan.
Do you think that Canada should send a large peacekeeping force to the Congo?
No (96%)
Yes (2%)
Undecided (1%)
April Polling vol II
For your Saturday morning viewing pleasure, here are the rest of my polling results for the month of April. It has been an interesting month, and now a new month is upon us. This much I know for sure, the Vancouver golf season has started. A lot of golfers are golfing again. I am cheering for the Canucks to beat Chicago, so hopefully they aren't golfing for another few weeks.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in my polls, and I would encourage you to send me your ideas for poll questions if there is anything you'd really like to see asked (icemanthe96@yahoo.com). You may also view every poll question that I have ever asked in reverse chronological order.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST CONSERVATIVE THEMED MOVIE?
Gran Torino (45%)
Dark Knight (12%)
Starship Troopers (8%)
The Incredibles (8%)
Pursuit of Happyness (7%)
Equilibrium (6%)
The Blind Side (4%)
Rocky 4 (3%)
Juno (2%)
Serenity (1%)
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE TITLE OF IGNATIEFF'S NEXT BOOK?
The Backfire of My Vanity (29%)
Bob is that a knife in my back, or are you just happy to see me? (24%)
True Patriot Culture War (14%)
Dances With Dippers (13%)
What About Bob? (5%)
Ian Davey: The Dead Horse I Rode In On (4%)
Crying With Wolves (3%)
The Bolshevik Album (2%)
Culture of Impatience (1%)
WHO SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY OVER WHICH CANDIDATE SHOULD RUN IN ANY GIVEN RIDING?
Both must agree (62%)
Riding Associations (26%)
Party Leader (9%)
Undecided (1%)
WOULD THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS IF BURKE HAD SIGNED THE SEDIN TWINS?
Not interested (40%)
No (38%)
Yes (22%)
ARE YOU RACIST?
No (68%)
Yes (17%)
Undecided (15%)
ARE YOU XENOPHOBIC?
No (73%)
Undecided (15%)
Yes (12%)
DO YOU WATCH SOUTH PARK?
Never (65%)
Sometimes (25%)
Often (10%)
DO YOU THINK MEN IN WHEELCHAIRS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCESS CHEAP VIAGRA?
No (54%)
Yes (36%)
Undecided (10%)
DO YOU THINK MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL?
No (59%)
Yes (36%)
Undecided (5%)
HOW DO YOU EXPECT SPEAKER MILLIKEN TO RULE ON THE LIBERAL'S CONTEMPT OF PARLIAMENT MOTION?
No, let Justice Iacobucci do his work (66%)
I have no idea how he will rule (22%)
Yes, contempt (12%)
WHICH DO YOU THINK CREATES MORE HARM IN CANADA ANNUALLY?
Illegal hand guns (97%)
Undecided (2%)
Legal long guns (1%)
WHICH CANADIAN JOURNALIST DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST LIKELY TO BE FORCED TO RESIGN FOR REPORTING A FALSE OR SLANDEROUS NEWS STORY?
Bob Fife (33%)
Terry Milewski (32%)
Jane Taber (21%)
Jim Traverse (6%)
Julie Van Dussen (4%)
IGNATIEFF SAID THAT THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD HAVE “QUESTIONED GUERGIS’S FITNESS” WHEN HER HUSBAND WAS ARRESTED; WHAT DO YOU THINK IGGY IS TRYING TO IMPLY?
A woman is not a person but an extension of her husband (62%)
If he's doing it, she's doing it (25%)
A politician is unfit for office when a family member has acted unlawfully (12%)
ARE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN UNFAIRLY TARGETED BY THE LEFT AND THE MEDIA BECAUSE OF GENDER?
Yes (93%)
No (5%)
Undecided (2%)
DO IGNATIEFF, RAE, DOSANGH, AND ATTARAN HAVE CREDIBILITY ISSUES?
Yes (94%)
No (6%)
DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT HAS A CREDIBILITY ISSUE?
No (87%)
Yes (8%)
Undecided (5%)
WHO ARE YOU MORE INCLINED TO BELIEVE?
Major General Walt Natynczyk (99%)
Afghan Translator (1%)
DO YOU THINK HELENA GUERGIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM CAUCUS?
Yes (63%)
Undecided (20%)
No (17%)
WHO HAS THEIR TENTACLES WRAPPED AROUND THE THROAT OF THE LIBERAL PARTY?
Rae (48%)
both (47%)
Ignatieff (5%)
DO YOU SUPPORT MANDATORY DRUG TESTING FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT?
Yes (63%)
No (30%)
Undecided (7%)
WHICH CANADIAN POLITICAL RADIO OR TELEVISION SHOWS DO YOU TUNE IN TO?
Charles Adler Show (58%)
Rex Murphy's Point of View (48%)
Roy Green Show (34%)
Michael Coren Show (34%)
Dave Rutherford Show (34%)
CBC: At Issue Panel (18%)
Tom Clarke's Power Play (18%)
CTV's Question Period (15%)
Rick Mercer Report (9%)
Evan Soloman Show (8%)
SHOULD CANADIANS BE ALLOWED TO CAST VOTES FOR AFGHAN GOVERNORS?
They are a sovereign country (95%)
We have earned it (5%)
HAS HELENA GUERGIS BEEN MISTREATED BY THE MEDIA?
Yes (81%)
No (15%)
Unsure (4%)
I would like to thank everyone who participated in my polls, and I would encourage you to send me your ideas for poll questions if there is anything you'd really like to see asked (icemanthe96@yahoo.com). You may also view every poll question that I have ever asked in reverse chronological order.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST CONSERVATIVE THEMED MOVIE?
Gran Torino (45%)
Dark Knight (12%)
Starship Troopers (8%)
The Incredibles (8%)
Pursuit of Happyness (7%)
Equilibrium (6%)
The Blind Side (4%)
Rocky 4 (3%)
Juno (2%)
Serenity (1%)
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE TITLE OF IGNATIEFF'S NEXT BOOK?
The Backfire of My Vanity (29%)
Bob is that a knife in my back, or are you just happy to see me? (24%)
True Patriot Culture War (14%)
Dances With Dippers (13%)
What About Bob? (5%)
Ian Davey: The Dead Horse I Rode In On (4%)
Crying With Wolves (3%)
The Bolshevik Album (2%)
Culture of Impatience (1%)
WHO SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY OVER WHICH CANDIDATE SHOULD RUN IN ANY GIVEN RIDING?
Both must agree (62%)
Riding Associations (26%)
Party Leader (9%)
Undecided (1%)
WOULD THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS IF BURKE HAD SIGNED THE SEDIN TWINS?
Not interested (40%)
No (38%)
Yes (22%)
ARE YOU RACIST?
No (68%)
Yes (17%)
Undecided (15%)
ARE YOU XENOPHOBIC?
No (73%)
Undecided (15%)
Yes (12%)
DO YOU WATCH SOUTH PARK?
Never (65%)
Sometimes (25%)
Often (10%)
DO YOU THINK MEN IN WHEELCHAIRS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCESS CHEAP VIAGRA?
No (54%)
Yes (36%)
Undecided (10%)
DO YOU THINK MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL?
No (59%)
Yes (36%)
Undecided (5%)
HOW DO YOU EXPECT SPEAKER MILLIKEN TO RULE ON THE LIBERAL'S CONTEMPT OF PARLIAMENT MOTION?
No, let Justice Iacobucci do his work (66%)
I have no idea how he will rule (22%)
Yes, contempt (12%)
WHICH DO YOU THINK CREATES MORE HARM IN CANADA ANNUALLY?
Illegal hand guns (97%)
Undecided (2%)
Legal long guns (1%)
WHICH CANADIAN JOURNALIST DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST LIKELY TO BE FORCED TO RESIGN FOR REPORTING A FALSE OR SLANDEROUS NEWS STORY?
Bob Fife (33%)
Terry Milewski (32%)
Jane Taber (21%)
Jim Traverse (6%)
Julie Van Dussen (4%)
IGNATIEFF SAID THAT THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD HAVE “QUESTIONED GUERGIS’S FITNESS” WHEN HER HUSBAND WAS ARRESTED; WHAT DO YOU THINK IGGY IS TRYING TO IMPLY?
A woman is not a person but an extension of her husband (62%)
If he's doing it, she's doing it (25%)
A politician is unfit for office when a family member has acted unlawfully (12%)
ARE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN UNFAIRLY TARGETED BY THE LEFT AND THE MEDIA BECAUSE OF GENDER?
Yes (93%)
No (5%)
Undecided (2%)
DO IGNATIEFF, RAE, DOSANGH, AND ATTARAN HAVE CREDIBILITY ISSUES?
Yes (94%)
No (6%)
DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT HAS A CREDIBILITY ISSUE?
No (87%)
Yes (8%)
Undecided (5%)
WHO ARE YOU MORE INCLINED TO BELIEVE?
Major General Walt Natynczyk (99%)
Afghan Translator (1%)
DO YOU THINK HELENA GUERGIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM CAUCUS?
Yes (63%)
Undecided (20%)
No (17%)
WHO HAS THEIR TENTACLES WRAPPED AROUND THE THROAT OF THE LIBERAL PARTY?
Rae (48%)
both (47%)
Ignatieff (5%)
DO YOU SUPPORT MANDATORY DRUG TESTING FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT?
Yes (63%)
No (30%)
Undecided (7%)
WHICH CANADIAN POLITICAL RADIO OR TELEVISION SHOWS DO YOU TUNE IN TO?
Charles Adler Show (58%)
Rex Murphy's Point of View (48%)
Roy Green Show (34%)
Michael Coren Show (34%)
Dave Rutherford Show (34%)
CBC: At Issue Panel (18%)
Tom Clarke's Power Play (18%)
CTV's Question Period (15%)
Rick Mercer Report (9%)
Evan Soloman Show (8%)
SHOULD CANADIANS BE ALLOWED TO CAST VOTES FOR AFGHAN GOVERNORS?
They are a sovereign country (95%)
We have earned it (5%)
HAS HELENA GUERGIS BEEN MISTREATED BY THE MEDIA?
Yes (81%)
No (15%)
Unsure (4%)
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