On the road again

Just a heads up to my loyal readers that I will not be doing any more posts for the next week or so, because as of tonight I will be going out on the road hauling freight, and as a result won't have access to my computer.

By the time I get back the election will be over (I'm glad I voted during the advance poll), as I hope will also be the case with the reign of terror and ineptitude of the HarperCONS. :-)

Vote for Change! Vote "Anybody but Conservative".


Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.

VIDEO: Wow - The Power of Words

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.

Thanks Susan, for this very powerful video. :-)


One cannot always be a hero, but one can always be a human.

At last! Polls we can believe in

Before the election was called and practically every day since, the HarperCONS have been involved in one scandal or controversy after another, and yet their poll numbers basically stayed the same? Today, finally, we got polls that we can actually believe in, showing an 'orange wave' sweeping the land.

With a week to go, who knows what might happen? Maybe a real paradigm-shift in how we are governed... and treat one another. Wouldn't that be nice.

From wage and debt slaves to masters in our own home... now there's a dream worth living for... and voting for.

RISE UP! and get out your vote!

Poll: NDP moves ahead of Liberals in 'astonishing shift'

EKOS SEAT PROJECTION




Dream today; make it real tomorrow.

Vandals attack Harper... sign

Lethbridge Herald

Sign drawing plenty of unwanted attention


Allan Wilson removes the remnants of his previous signage Thursday before replacing it with new placards voicing his views on the upcoming federal election. Less than four hours after this photograph was taken, brazen culprits stole the protest sign - the second he had put up in as many days - off Wilson's lawn while he was inside his westside home. He had put up the original sign Wednesday afternoon and awoke Thursday to find it gone. After shelling out another $140 to have a second sign professionally done, Wilson is considering adding video security once he gets yet another replacement made.


In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

Conservatives In Hiding... and one voters reaction

Conservatives In Hiding...

This is taking Harper's penchant for keeping his members of parliament and now even his party's election candidates under a 'bubble' to the extreme, bordering on arrogance and contempt for the people they wish to serve, while clearly showing, once again, their distain for our democratic process that includes free and open public election forums where all candidates come before the people to tell us why we should support them.

I guess they figure sticking their noses up in the air and taking the people for granted is < not > a smart election ploy?

Thanks to Buckdog, here’s a list of Conservative candidates refusing to show up at All Candidate forums:

Alberta

- Leon Benoit (CPC) - Wainwright Vegreville

- Deepak Obhrai (CPC) – Calgary East

- Rob Anders (CPC) -Calgary West

- Michelle Rempel (CPC) - Calgary Centre-North

- Jason Kenney (CPC) - Calgary South East

- Stephen Harper (CPC) - Calgary South West

- Devinder Shory (CPC) - Calgary North East

- Dianne Ablonczy (CPC) - Calgary Nose Hill

- Jim Hillyer (CPC) -Lethbridge

- Peter Goldring (CPC) - Edmonton East

- Laurie Hawn (CPC) – Edmonton Centre

- LaVar Payne (CPC) – Medicine Hat

Ontario

- Julian Fantino (CPC) – Vaughan

- Peter Kent (CPC) – Thornhill

- Aijaz Naqvi (NDP) - Mississauga-Streetsville

- Terence Young (CPC) – Oakville

- Susan Truppe (CPC) – London-North Centre

- Stephen Woodworth (CPC) – Kitchener Centre

- Diane Finley (CPC) – Haldimand—Norfolk

- Royal Galipeau (CPC) – Ottawa-Orléans

- Theresa Rodrigues (CPC) – Davenport

- Leanna Villella (CPC) – Welland

- Kevin Moore (CPC) – Toronto Centre

- Elie Salibi (CPC) – Ottawa South

- Pierre Lemieux (CPC) – Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

- Terry Anderson (CPC) – Hamilton Mountain

- Marty Burke (CPC) – Guelph

- James McLaren (NDP) – Ottawa South

- Ed Holder (CPC) – London West

- Patrick Brown (CPC) – Barrie

- Peter Braid (CPC) – Kitchener – Waterloo

- Chris Alexander (CPC) – Ajax-Pickering

- Larry Miller (CPC) - Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

- Corneliu Chisu (CPC) – Pickering-Scarborough East

- Fred Slade (CPC) – Sudbury

- Damian Konstantinakos (CPC) – Ottawa Centre

- Phil McColeman (CPC) – Brant

Manitoba

- Wally Daudrich (CPC) – Churchill

- Rod Bruinooge (CPC) – Winnipeg South

- Bev Pitura (CPC) – Winnipeg Centre

New Brunswick

- Rodney Weston (CPC) – Saint John

- Robert Goguen (CPC) – Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

British Columbia

- Donald Leung (CPC) - Burnaby-Douglas

- Dona Cadman (CPC) – Surrey North

- Mark Strahl (CPC) – Chilliwack – Fraser Canyon

- John Koury (CPC) – Nanaimo-Cowichan

- John Duncan (CPC) – Vancouver Island North

- Jennifer Clarke (CPC) – Vancouver Centre

- Ronald Leung (CPC) – Burnaby-Douglas

Nova Scotia

- Gerald Keddy (CPC) - South Shore-St. Margaret’s

Saskatchewan

- Randy Hoback (CPC) – Prince Albert

- Andrew Sheer (CPC) Regina

- Kelly Block (CPC) – Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar

Northwest Territories

- Sandy Lee (CPC) – Western Arctic

Quebec

- Daniel Petit (CPC) – Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles

- Sylvie Boucher (CPC) – Beauport-Limoilou

If I have missed any hiding Conservatives ... let me know so that I can update the list!

Elect A.B.C. - "Anybody but Conservative" in Macleod.


UPDATE: By refusing to stand before voters in public and give an honest accounting of themselves and the party they represent, these candidates are not offering a good representation of democracy.

How then can voters be assured of good representation in Ottawa?


The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.

Fred Poirier says: Know your A.B.C.'s - "Anybody but Conservative"

As the picture below shows, my good friend Fred Poirier over on the island is doing his part this election to ensure people there know their A.B.C.'s - "Anybody but Conservative".



Good work Fred! :-)

UPDATE: (April 25) It has been brought to my attention that all Art work and creativity of such in the sign above in the picture was done by none other than Sara Ann Poirier.

My apologies for not paying tribute to masterful work performed by a 'slave' for her 'master', without due reward and recompense. :-)


A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men.

Must-watch TV this Sunday, April 24

John, please take a moment to sign and forward this message to your family and friends.
---

Dear friends,

I wanted to let you know about a half-hour TV special airing tomorrow Sunday, April 24, on Global TV and City TV (see below for local showtimes).

"Michael Ignatieff's Town Hall for Canada" features an up-close-and-personal look at Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party’s plan to strengthen families and defend Canada’s health care system.

This is your chance to take a closer look at the Liberal Party and hear directly from Michael Ignatieff before May 2. Please visit http://www.liberal.ca/tv/ to see a preview and then take a moment to share this email with family and friends.

Thank you.

[SIGNATURE]


WHEN TO WATCH (all times are local)

Ontario on Global at 12:00 PM (except Thunder Bay) and CITY TV at 2 PM (covers Toronto, Ottawa, London, Wingham, Kitchener, Kingston and Barrie)

Montreal, Saskatoon and Regina on Global at 12:00 PM

Maritimes (covers Moncton, Halifax, Sydney and Charlottetown) on Global at 1:00 PM

Calgary (covers Lethbridge and Medicine Hat) and Edmonton (covers Red Deer and Lloydminster) and Winnipeg on Global, 12:00 Noon and CITY TV at 2:00 PM

Vancouver on CITY TV at 2:00 PM and on Global at 3:00 PM

British Columbia (covers Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, Dawson Creek, Kelowna and Kamloops) on Global at 3:00 PM

Michael Ignatieff, another Lester Pearson?

Is Michael Ignatieff another Lester Pearson? For five years from 1963-68, Lester Pearson led a minority government which completely reshaped Canadian society. Michael Ignatieff intends to continue this Liberal legacy by providing Canadians with an open and transparent government which will pursue policies Canadians have told him they desire.

The background of Ignatieff and Pearson are similar which suggests that Ignatieff is positioned well to succeed in his goal. Both men were rooted in Canada having been born and having received their undergraduate degrees from the University of Toronto. In their youth, both studied and worked abroad before brining back their international experience and learning to help better Canada at home and on the world stage. Pearson earned such respect that he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Ignatieff wishes to further Pearson’s peace keeping efforts an bolster our diplomatic presence abroad.

Besides restoring Canada’s respect internationally, Ignatieff wishes to further and consolidate the many initiatives begun by Pearson at home. While Pearson secured basic health services for all Canadians, Ignatieff wishes to extend health benefits Canadians presently enjoy. While Pearson introduced a Canada Pension Plan, Ignatieff, among other things, wishes to extend coverage to include 75% of private sector employees who don’t enjoy a registered pension plan. While Pearson signed a free trade agreement with the United States in the auto sector which benefitted Canada, Ignatieff wishes to strengthen economic ties with China and India for the same purpose. The “auto pact” of Pearson created employment and Ignatieff is determined to help the young secure jobs and help small and medium-sized businesses in order to bolster the job market. Pearson attempted to secure unity by establishing Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, a Canadian flag and an honours system; Ignatieff wishes to secure this goal by developing the next generation Official Language Plan and showing respect for our democratic institutions. Pearson furthered the status of women within society through the Royal Commission on the status of Women; Ignatieff wants to secure affordable high-quality childcare and learning spaces for children and promoting gender equality partially through pay equity measures.

Pearson accomplished his transformation of Canadian society through a minority government during the entire period he was prime minister, partially because he was supported by a strong team of ministers. Ignatieff too has a strong highly motivated competent team of individuals from across the country to help him achieve his goals. Whether he receives a majority or minority, Ignatieff is ready and willing to govern to enable Canadians achieve a our individual and collective potential both domestically and internationally.

http://alberta.liberal.ca/fr/michael-ignatieff-another-lester-pearson/


Dream today; make it real tomorrow.

Socialist Hordes at the Gates... RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

You capitalist swines! Yes, that means you Pass rats too!! We'll be coming for your money, your property, your children... we're taking it all!!! :-o



The above is a conservative capitalist's worst nightmare... that looks like it might come true? :-) The orange wave IS happening throughout the land. Prime Minister Jack Layton... has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? :-)

I'm for Jack, I'm for anybody but Harper as most of you know, and for good reason. He and his conservatives have never done anything for me, while having certainly done a lot against me.

So I for one will not be shedding any tears for their demise, although I know quite a few here who will. Good! Its about time the wealth got shared and re-distributed more fairly, equitably, while bringing back equality of opportunity to the mix as well. Like I said, you won't find me shedding any tears for these people, who never shed any for me. Like they say, what goes around comes around. Its called Karma.

My only regret is that we can't bring Lady Guillotine into the equation in order to rid ourselves of the vermin we call the 'old boys club' who still congregate at local Community Futures offices, raping and exploiting their communities at will with the help of their political friends in government.

First Ottawa... then Edmonton... and then the Crowsnest. We'll all be saluting the red maple leaf and calling each other comrade before you know it. :-)

It looks like the pollsters and political pundits are about to be proven wrong, the tyrant deposed, and history quite possibly will be made, come May 2. The third option everyone on the conservative side ignored, to their eventual chagrin, has arrived... the NDP!!!

Parliamentary Democracy saved by the socialists! The world doesn't get any crazier than that, now does it? :-)


Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative.

Meet your Macleod Riding NDP Candidate - Janine Giles

Hello NDP Supporters,

I would like to update you on this past week in the election, to tell you:

- what has been happening in the local NDP campaign;
- where you can find information about advanced polls; and
- when you can catch the upcoming High River and Pincher Creek debates.

I have also attached my candidacy press release and an NDP leaflet that will get you excited to go to the polls!

Campaign Happenings:

On Saturday, April 16th, Jenifer and Phil Butterfield hosted a NDP tea at their gorgeous home near Monarch. Lethbridge NDP candidate, Mark Sandilands, attended as well and we have a wonderful chat with neighbours about policy and local politics. Thanks to Jenifer and Phil for hosting a great event!

On Tuesday, April 19th, a number of folks came out to the candidate Meet & Greet at the new Sheep River Library in Turner Valley. It was great to meet with voters who are looking for an alternative to the Conservatives. I heard a lot of people say that they just can't vote for them anymore. Indeed, the lack of leadership in health care, the flip-flop on the income trust decision and the recent scandals has voters looking farther afield.

On Wednesday evening, April 20th, I filmed a 3 minute spot -- promoting my candidacy --- on Shaw Cable TV which will start airing on Thursday April 28th. Shaw offered all candidates in the area free television time which was very generous. Stay tuned!

This Friday, April 22, I will be in Pincher Creek to put up more signs. I will also be leaving signs at the Stones Throw Cafe (come over and see Bernice) in Blairmore for supporters who would like to pick up a sign. David Lucas and Colton Newton -- this means you!!

I will be back down in the Pincher Creek/Crowsnest Pass area to door knock the weekend before the election. If you are interested in door knocking with me, please let me know! For those in Okotoks, I would like to door knock the weekend before the election too. We have had a great response in Okotoks and we have more work to do!

This week I also did an interview with the Western Wheel and the Calgary Herald. These publications should come out with their stories very soon. I will post these on my facebook site for your review -- Janine Giles (Politician).

Vote at an advance polls this weekend:

I strongly encourage everyone to vote at an ADVANCE POLL!

If you have received your voter card, information about where you can vote this weekend will be provided. You may vote on Friday (April 22), Saturday (April 23), and Monday (April 25). If you have not received your voter card, call 1-866-497-8890 to talk to the Macleod returning officer.

When you vote, please bring some identification and proof of address. For instance, bring your driver's license.

There are dozens of places to cast a ballot in advance in Macleod. I would like as many as possible to vote early. It show's we're organized and it may give the national media something to talk about on election day if we show strong support in the advanced polls immediately after the polls close!!

Debates:

The High River Debate is on Tuesday, April 26th, at the Heritage Inn @ 7pm. Please come early because I have heard a rumour that the room is rather small.

The Pincher Creek debate is on Wednesday, April 27th, at the Matthew Halton High School & 7pm.

Please come out and show your support!! Ask questions and applaud the things you like!!

Best regards,


Janine Giles
Macleod NDP Candidate
403-678-7454
janinegiles@gmail.com

NDP End Game Leaflet

Candidacy Press Release


The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.

Reformatories showing true colours re: abortion

Well Mr. Trost is back again, this time bragging about Planned Parenthood being denied government funding after years of receiving it. STORY HERE


A conservative government is an organized hypocrisy.

Jack Layton... and the orange wave

Kristy Kirkup, Parliamentary Bureau
First posted: Thursday, April 21, 2011 7:42:53 MDT AM

Layton leading in Quebec: polls

OTTAWA -
The NDP is now the frontrunner in Quebec, according to two new polls released Thursday which put the party ahead of the Bloc Quebecois in the province for the first time.

A CROP poll conducted for La Presse over the past week says 36% of Quebecers would vote for the NDP, which is 5% higher than the BQ’s support.

Similarly, an EKOS poll conducted for iPolitics found the New Democrats leaped to 31% in Quebec while the Bloc has fallen back to about 24%.

NDP Leader Jack Layton had his first interview on the new numbers with the Sun News Network.

“We still have work to do,” Layton, a Quebec native, told QMI Agency sister network. “I think the message is getting through in Quebec, as you noticed, and elsewhere.”

The NDP won its first seat in the province in the 2008 election. Thomas Mulcair won Montreal’s Outremont riding. The party is hoping to bank in on this breakthrough and convert support into seats.

BQ leader Gilles Duceppe appeared defensive but dismissive at a press conference Thursday morning, as reporters grilled him on the unprecedented support for the NDP in the province.

“They’ve worked against the interests of Quebec in the past,” said Duceppe. “It’s not the first campaign we’ve had to fight to the very end.”

Kristy.Kirkup@sunmedia.ca
On Twitter: @kkirkup


Nanos Research


First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win

VIDEO: This time I'm voting Jack Layton

This is pretty good. I'm impressed! Pulse of the nation by participation! :-)

This time I'm voting Jack Layton.


Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Survey finds nearly one-third of respondents didn't have enough money to live on

The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Nearly one-third of Canadians that responded to a recent survey backed by a major Canadian bank said they didn't have enough money to cover living expenses.

An online survey completed for TD Canada Trust (TSX:TD) also found that 54 per cent of the 1,003 people who answered said it was a real struggle or impossible to save.

The report, released Wednesday, says that 38 per cent of respondents said they had no savings and 30 per cent said they didn't have enough money for their living expenses.

On the flip side, 30 per cent of the respondents said they had enough money saved to cover living expenses for at least four months.

The online survey, based on a representative sample of Canadian adults, was conducted before Christmas from Dec. 2 to 7 by Environics Research for the bank.

TD used the survey results to publicize its services for helping customers with their savings.

The survey found the top goals for the respondents were: saving for retirement (73 per cent), paying off credit cards (72 per cent), and major purchases or vacations (53 per cent each).

On a regional basis:

— 22 per cent of respondents in the Atlantic provinces said they found saving "impossible" and 43 per cent indicated any left-over money was being used to pay down debt.

— 54 per cent of respondents in Ontario said they found it a "real struggle" or impossible to save and 33 per cent said they didn't have enough money to cover living expenses.

— 33 per cent of respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba indicated it was a real struggle to save but a larger portion (37 per cent) said they had enough money saved to cover at least four months of living expenses.

— 55 per cent of respondents in Alberta said it was a real struggle or impossible to save but 31 per cent said they had enough money saved to cover at least four months of living expenses.

— 44 per cent of respondents in British Columbia said it was a real struggle or impossible to save; 30 per cent said they didn't have enough money to cover living expenses.


We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.

VIDEO: Ensuring seniors are given the respect they deserve

As with the previous Green Party video I posted yesterday, and in the interest of re-enforcing our ABC's (Anybody but Conservatives), here is one from Jack.

Considering the high proportion of seniors living here in the Pass one would think that finally here is a party that has their interests at heart, and not solely those of the big banks and corporations, which is what the Reformatories priorities are all about.



To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.

This time I'm voting Jack Layton


I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.

VIDEO: Harper on Health Care in Canada

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


The most common of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind.

Letter: Former ‘Red Tory’ disenchanted with Harper

kelownacapitalnews.com

To the editor:

The Harperites have contaminated the political discourse in this country by the importation and implementation of Republican-style attack ads and fear-mongering campaigning.

The Harper attack ads stress: 1. Character assassination of opponents (particularly Michael Ignatiaff) and 2. The dire consequences for Canadians if the Conservatives are not re-elected, saying that their re-election is the only way to keep Canadians “safe”.

Depending on the issue, the Harperites paint their opponents as: 1. reckless spendthrifts, 2. weak on crime, national defence and security, 3. lacking integrity, and 4. in some cases, unpatriotic.

Further, these ads have so poisoned the political atmosphere in this country that rational debate on issues vital to Canadians has become virtually impossible. In reality, Harper’s attack ads and scripted “bubble” campaigning show contempt, not only toward political opponents but the Canadian electorate. They obviously believe that the majority of Canadians are politically unsophisticated and thus easily duped.

The following points, among innumerable others, can be made regarding Harper’s re-election campaign promises and statements to date:

1. “Corporate tax cuts are good for the Canadian economy”, says Flaherty.
False.

As reported by Statistics Canada, the rate of investment in machinery and equipment has declined in lock-step with falling corporate tax rates over the past decade. Corporations, however, added $83 billion to their cash reserves. Flaherty promises a further cut to 15 per cent will be implemented. This proposed tax cut will cost tax payers $14 billion per year by 2013.

Liberals propose cancelling Flaherty’s proposed cuts. Good idea.

2. “Costing of F35 fighter jets to be $75 million per plane as per contract,” says Harper.
Again, false.

The true per-unit cost of the F35 will be at least double Harper’s figures, Canada’s Parliamentary budget officer stated, and confirmed by Winslow Wheeler, Centre for Defence Information, Washington, D.C. Therefore, total cost to Canadians will be $18 billion for 65 planes, plus maintenance costs of $7 billion.

Liberals promise to open this file to competitive bidding. Good idea.

3. Conservatives state that “for a safer Canada we will be building more prisons.” (Cost purposefully not divulged but experts estimate costs to be multiple billions in construction, staffing and maintenance). In fact, Canada’s crime rate has been decreasing. The U.S. incarcerates more people per capita than any other western country and U.S. citizens are hardly safer than we are.

Liberals propose a pro-active approach in mitigating conditions that lead to crime rather than a reactive approach promised by Harper. Good idea.

4. Conservatives are superior fiscal managers, Harper implies.
False.

A) Harper squandered the inherited Liberal surplus of $14 billion before the 2008 recession.

B) Jeffrey Simpson, editorialist with the Globe and Mail, has this to say about Conservative fiscal management: “Conservatives tend to deliver lower taxes, bigger spending and large deficits. The gap between promise and delivery has been, and remains, huge.”

To sum up, as a former Red Tory of the late lamented Progressive Conservative Party, I can state without equivocation that Harper’s vision for Canada, both domestically and internationally, is not mine. Hopefully, other disaffected former PC supporters like myself will cast their vote for a national party that better represents their values. Harper has betrayed the trust of Canadians and does not deserve re-election.

W.D. Waddell,
West Kelowna


How hard it is, sometimes, to trust the evidence of one's senses! How reluctantly the mind consents to reality.

VIDEO: New Green Economy

In the interest of re-enforcing our ABC's (Anybody but Conservatives)...



To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


Awareness leads you forward, while lack of awareness leads you nowhere.

Mr. Harper, How Do You Sleep?

The following is an email I received from one of my readers who has decided to share something interesting with us all. Have a read.... and sing along too...
_______________________________________

After I read this message from Arcade Fire's Richard Reed Parry:

http://www.arcadefire.com/blog/hey-canadians/

...I emailed the following to Arcade Fire's manager, as well some other musicians. I hope somebody makes a video of this song. It will go viral!!!

Mr. Harper, How Do You Sleep?

On March 29 Prime Minister Harper played keyboard while singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” at a Winnipeg photo op.

Another song on Lennon’s 1971 album Imagine is “How Do You Sleep?”, directed at Paul McCartney (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNjTPZW7GCU).

Once you’re familiar with the melody, try these new lyrics. All together now!

*

Mr. Harper, How Do You Sleep?

So the contempt vote took you by surprise
You better see through the people’s eyes
Those guys were right on the price of the jets
Cost twice as much but what about our vets
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

You made coalition a dirty word
Most Parliaments have them, haven’t you heard?
Policies favoured by most in their land
More moderate than left and right demand
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

Prorogue the Parliament, twice down the drain
Can’t hear Afghan detainees scream in pain
Large tax cuts for the largest companies
And for the Tar Sands boys more subsidies
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

At the climate talks, what do we have here
Four times awarded Fossil of the Year
Those Action Plan ads cost twenty-six mill
The G8 and 20, over one bill
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

Why did you lose the seat at the U.N.?
Who inserted the word ‘not’ with a pen?
Five times Bruce Carson convicted of fraud
Then secret clearance in a PMO job
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

Only five questions, ’cause you are the king
Jump when reporters ask you anything
You keep them more than forty feet away
Behind steel fences, just another day
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

You challenge Michael to a face-to-face
He tell you any time, any place
Next day you say that it can’t be done
You’ll just abide by the consortium
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

Get back on the ‘rights’ track says Amnesty
And how do you define democracy?
Your London rally, two students kicked out
‘Cause of a picture on a Facebook account
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?

The AG’s words recycled by mistake
But who says he’s sorry for that fake lake
Why does food with GMOs get no blame
Why is Helena the one you can’t name?
How do you sleep?
Ah, how do you sleep at night?


For further reference:

Getting Back on the ‘Rights’ Track
(www.amnesty.ca/files/HRA.pdf)

Hey Canadians!
(www.arcadefire.com/blog/hey-canadians/)

Harper missing the point on F-35s
(http://embassymag.ca/page/view/edit-03-16-2011)

Auditor general to probe lump-sum disability payments for veterans
(www.leaderpost.com/story_print.html?id=3948651)

Government sees no need to test GMOs
(www.commonground.ca/iss/237/cg237_gmos.shtml)

Are we going to reward contempt of Parliament?
(www.ottawacitizen.com/story_print.html?id=4564215&)

The Government of Canada’s record on climate change
(www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/news/2011/release/index.php?WEBYEP_DI=8)

Tories used praise for Liberals to defend summit costs: Fraser
(www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/11/cv-election-weston-ag-fraser.html)


David Buckna


You can cage the bird, but not the song!

VIDEO: Stephen Harper Visits Yellowknife Leaving a Trail of Tears & Bitterness

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.

Pretty sad! Think about it? How they ran this show is how things are run around here in the Pass too i.e. conservative 'old-boys' club, with their head office at Community Futures. Those pillars of society who really haven't done much for this community over the years, but still manages to keep raking it in and keep going... like the ever-ready battery.

What's Harper scared of? The people? Are we now the enemy?... those of us who make up the 70% who 'don't' support him?

With these actions of his, he seems to have the first rule of supposed good management down pat, now doesn't he?

The key to being a good manager is keeping the people who hate me away from those who are still undecided.



This Yellowknife trip video of Harper is still further evidence that this secretive man and his 'elite' zealot followers and those running under the conservative banner cannot, and should not, be trusted!

Harper now has two strikes against him, the first being in 'contempt of parliament' and this second one now of being in 'contempt of the people'. One more strike and he's out!... for good!!!


There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.

VIDEO: High Stakes

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


"It’s past time the feds scrapped the Canada Health Act."
- Stephen Harper

UPDATE: The above quote has been wrongly attributed to Stephen Harper when in fact it was his former boss David Somerville, former head of the National Citizens Coalition, who said it back in June 1997.


Actions lie louder than words.

VIDEO: 12 Triggers from Globalization to World Government

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


Governments do not govern, but merely control the machinery of government, being themselves controlled by the hidden hand.

VIDEO: "Rise up!" Canada - IGGY with ATTITUDE

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.

This is what I have been saying in my neck of the woods for years. "RISE UP!" CROWSNEST!... "RISE UP!" ALBERTA!!... "RISE UP!" CANADA!!!

NOTE: Its good to see Iggy with fire in his belly. That's what it's going to take to slay the dragon. Fighting fire with fire!




To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


Liberty is lost through complacency and a subservient mindset. When we accept or even welcome automobile checkpoints, random searches, mandatory identification cards, and paramilitary police in our streets, we have lost a vital part of our American heritage. America was born of protest, revolution, and mistrust of government. Subservient societies neither maintain nor deserve freedom for long.

VIDEO: Health Risk! "HarperCONS are dangerous to your health"

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.

This is good. Real good! I think the Liberals have learnt from the HarperCONS, in how to instill the fear of god into people, while at the same time being different, in that their message is based on truth, not on BS... like what we came to find out was the case with the CONS recent 'ipod tax campaign' video.


Governments need enemies to frighten their people with, frightened people being more easy to lead.

Puppies For Sale

McGuff's News
marylou@mcguffsnews.com

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, "Here, Dolly!" he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

And so it is. The world is full of people who need someone who understands.


Don’t let what other people think decide who you are.

VIDEO: The Harper Song (Steve It's Time to Leave)

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Ottawa.

Go Ethnics Go !?!?

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.


The true Canada!.... with attitude. :-)


When the media refuses to inform and the public no longer questions, that truly is the beginning of the end of democracy.

Sic semper tyrannis (Death to Tyrants)

Well, so far, the HarperCONS have alienated women, youth and those the conservatives consider less than Canadian... les ethniques (ethnic people).

Who else can they diminish and marginalize? Natives, the poor and elderly, working people? Oh, I forgot?... they've already done those ones. The list goes on and on...

As we are seeing in the middle-east and north africa, the people here too are rising up and taking back their nation... from the tyrant. By election day there should be one massive rally, and public outcry...

'DEATH TO THE TYRANT'

"We're taking back our streets... our freedoms... our rights... and our dignity! And most of all... our DEMOCRACY!"

Women:

It's Over Steve!! - Episode 001

It's Over, Steve - Ammy.... (very good!)

It's Over Steve!! - Episode 002

It's Over Steve!! - Episode 003 (GUELPH, ON)

Ethnic:

Go Ethnics Go !?!?.... (excellent!) :-)



Youth:

Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are trying to silence students’ vote

Elections Canada rejects Tory bid to quash student votes

Are Canadian Youth Standing Up and Showing Up This Election?


The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.

Doctor Garbutt: Kicking Ass, in the Pass

Doctor Garbutt, who happens to be my family physician, is kicking ass with the Health Minister and Stelmach's conservative government over the handling of health services, and the intimidation tactics being used to curtail critizism.

Doctor accuses health board of intimidation

He's in all the papers, CBC, etc. He' a SUPER STAR!!! Putting Crowsnest Pass on the map!


UPDATE: (April 15, 2011) Well, I guess once again we see that the squeeky wheel always gets the grease (which whould have been my modus operandi). Good for Allan!

Conditions have improved for doctor


Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.

Leadership Debate: Plenty of jabs, but no knockout punch

Well our one and only English leadership debate is now history.

For me, I was hoping Harper would have been pinned to the mat on a whole host of issues but he wasn't. In fact, he stood his ground pretty good.

Iggy was better than expected but needed to get down and dirty but couldn't, or wouldn't... maybe it's not in him to be that way?

Jack was good and came across as the candidate having the best policies and vision for taking this country forward in my opinion, along with coming across huge in the trust factor area.

Duceppe seemed to struggle this time around but as always was very pointed and direct, but at times was too gentlemanly in allowing others, especially Harper, to go on and on, on his dime.

Over all, the one thing I found both disturbing and disconcerting was how the director (camera man) did not switch away when Harper was speaking, but instead allowed Harper to address the camera, rather than his opponents? Instead of turning away, the camera and Harper are having a dialog. It was more of a speech and not an exchange with an opponent. Something fishy here, I thought? And a big advantage for Harper.

Anyways, those are my thoughts. What are yours?


The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.

Harper and his right-wing 'nutjobs' in free-fall: Good Riddance!!

The HarperCONS < NOT > conservatives are in free-fall even before tonight's televised T.V. debate, due to their countless scandals including yesterday's bombshell regarding unaccounted for and unproven spending, and the outright dishonest and unauthorized usage of Auditor General Sheila Fraser's past statements which supported a previous Liberal governments spending measures. This elitist governing party's hope for a majority is now in serious doubt of even forming a minority government.

With any luck tonight's debate should seal their fate and we will soon be rid of these Reform/Alliance nutcase hypocrites who have dragged our country down into the sewer, mismanaged our nation's business, and left most middle-class and working families in this country in dire straights.

If things turn out as I hope then after this election I'm sure we will see the disintegration of this bastardized conservative party with the expulsion of the HarperCONS, and the reemergence of a once proud and respected progressive conservative party.

In the meantime, for those of you who still do not know the real Steven Harper and his hidden agenda on selling our country down the drain to the U.S. (in more ways than one), including dismantling what made Canada the envy of the world with respect to our progressive social programs, read the following by CuriosityCat. It's a real in-depth eye-opener...

May 2: The Real Ballot Question & Why Harper will NOT win his Majority




A conservative government is an organized hypocrisy.

VIDEO: “If Canada is a land of opportunity…”

These days you don't have to be an immigrant to be facing these situations, now do you?


Careful. We don't want to learn from this.

VIDEO: You have a choice

To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.

Note: In this election it's important to know your ABC's - 'Anybody but Harper!'

VIDEO: Imagine no Harper...

Arcade Fire: Hey Canadians! ENOUGH HARPER!!

Arcade Fire blasts Harper

"Our current leader has championed some pretty destructive initiatives on everyone's behalf... it's really important to get out and vote on May 2nd."
___________________________________________________

April 8, 2011
Hey Canadians!

It is about to be voting time. Our current leader has championed some pretty destructive initiatives on everyone’s behalf… it’s really important to get out and vote on May 2nd.

If you’re out of the country you can still vote, just go here:

http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=reg/svr&document=index&lang=e

For anyone unfamiliar with Mr. Harper’s work, do have a look… http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2007/01/30/harper-kyoto.html

http://www.lucbourgeoisphoto.org/tarsands.html

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/7/2/david_vassey

Canada is still a pretty good country, and worth fighting for…

xo Richard
___________________________________________________



Watch full-screen version on YouTube.


You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists.

TECK: Elkview strike 'OVER' - Agreement Reached

USW LOCAL 9346

Bargaining

UPDATE - Thursday, April 7, 2011 - 5:05pm

•Anyone on B Crew wanting to go to work tomorrow morning can show up. Busses will be running.

•You MUST be back at work on your regular scheduled shift within 7 days.

•Please click here for a letter from the Company regarding payout of the lump sum RRSP and the March safety bonus.

◦Letter from Company and Form

Results of the vote on the second Tentative Agreement are as follows:

Number of Eligible Voters - 689

Number of Ballots Returned - 612

Number in Favour - 359

Number Against - 252

Number Spoiled - 1

RESULTS - 58.7% in favour of the agreement.

Nobody Loves Me, But My Mother... and she could be jiving too

Love that song by B.B. King, almost as much as I like the one by Albert King titled I feel like 'Breaking Up Somebody's Home'.

Both songs are naturally about the Blues. Everybody got the blues. Here I'll play the Blues for You

The reason I'm writing this and sharing is because I want all you conservatives out there to get use to this kind of music, because the way the HarperCONS are doing so far in this election, I think soon y'all be sing'n da blues, after May 2. :-)

Angel of Mercy

That's What The Blues Is All About


Life is just one damned thing after another.

VIDEO: Hey Stephen Harper, stop creeping me on Facebook

Facebook photos with Iggy get two teenagers kicked out of Conservative party rally

Another student says she was barred from Harper rally


You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.

He's Not Coming Back For You

Excellent blog post by The Parallel Parliament on how Harper has not only broken all his democratic promises for the past five years of his reign but cares for little else than power for powers sake, living in a bubble hoping he can slide back in by fooling the people... just one more time.

He's Not Coming Back For You

This post is a good eye-opener for sure on the devil we have come to know whose record has proven he has nothing but distain and contempt for both the people of this great country, and their democratic institutions. If you are not of his political and ideological persuasion you are nothing. You are less than nothing. And as such, must be avoided at all costs because although being less than nothing in his books, you are still a threat, and therefore the enemy.

A pretty scary and warped mind, I would say.

Now that you have really got to know him, is this someone you want running your country? I think not!


Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

The Miners Journey: Bridgecreek and 'How we got here'

Long time resident of the Crowsnest Pass, Peter Rosner, who many in the Elk Valley know very well, has a new blog The Miners Journey in which his latest post deals with our local Bridgecreek development (sic) fiasco.

Check him out and while you're there leave him a comment by way of encouragement to do what he can in exposing this apparent 'white collar' crime for what it is, and that those responsible or implicated in it are not only brought to justice but made to pay the price for their transgressions against our people, our community, and the hundreds of investors that were duped out of their investments, and in some cases, their life savings.


UPDATE:(11:23 AM) Dean Ward has an interesting read on this subject of Bridgecreek, as well. Check it out here.


Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it... Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.

Stephen Harper gets owned by Terry Milewski. Has he chickened out of a debate? (April 3rd, 2011)

Cons Order RCMP to Block Media


Note: Read some of the comments here on YouTube, regarding this video. They're priceless, and for the most part, so true.


Three things cannot be long hidden. The sun, the moon, and the truth.

Ottawa mom crashes Conservative press conference. Demands answers about Con-tempt.

Hip Hip Hooray!!! Ordinary people are now starting to stand up to the tyrant and his bullies. Is this the beginning of the end for the HarperCONS? I hope so!

"Why should you ever be given another chance to represent Canadian democracy when you and your entire party have been in contempt of Canadian democracy for years?”

Kudos to this mom who had the guts to stand up to the tyrant's bullies with truth being her only weapon, against those who lie, cheat and use fear to deceive the people in order to remain in power so that they can continue to betray and exploit those they were entrusted to serve. And if that wasn't bad enough, they're doing all this under the guise of our prized and cherished Canadian democracy that they have nothing but contempt for. ENOUGH HARPER!

Governments need enemies to frighten their people with, frightened people being more easy to lead.

A tyrant is a monarch who rules outside the law, who came to power without the support of law, who is afraid of the people he rules, and who is therefore unable to trust anyone else’s advice. Moreover, a tyrant lets power go to his head; convinced that he knows everything, he believes he does not need to listen to anyone else’s advice. A tyrant may not always be abusive to the people he rules; he may have their best interests at heart. But his fear prevents him from deliberating freely; it warps his judgments, and the bad decisions he makes out of fear may destroy him or weaken the city.

Further to the above story, and keeping this quote in mind "Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one", the following are great posts on how for the most part conservative controlled MSM is doing their best in protecting and promoting the HarperCONS while villainizing and downplaying the opposition parties. Like the public is blind, deaf and stupid. I don't think so!

The Media And The Narrative (the media sucks!)

Why we can't win on May 2


The elite use the media and other social tools to suppress critical thinking as a pragmatic necessity towards holding on to their power.

TECK: ELK VALLEY TENTATIVE DEAL REACHED

Well, it looks like those with intestinal fortitude, guts and strong knees won the day. Congratulations to one and all, especially the negotiating committee, who we all had undying faith and confidence in, from day one. :-)

TENTATIVE DEAL REACHED

Here's hoping it is one the members and their families can live with, considering the sacrifices that have been made by all.


Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

RMR: Rick's Rant - Vote

Conventional wisdom of all political parties is that young people (18-25) do not vote. Wonder what would scare the crap out of the establishment? 3 million young people coming out to vote.

Make it happen! Be the change you want to see in Ottawa.


Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do.

Snow removal policy 'sucks' big time

It seems to me that a new snow removal policy is already in place, in that for the first time in 16 winters living here I have not seen such poor snow removal in the Pass as I have seen in the last week or two? Were the graders down? In Bellevue a week or more went by before I saw a grader on our street? Or is what we have recently experienced the new norm?

The above is what I wrote by way of a comment on Councillor Brian Gallant's blog more than two weeks ago, on the subject of Snow and more snow.

This week's Herald has quite a few bricks and a quick peek read of a letter to the editor in today's Promoter tells me we got a 'new policy' that killed the 'old policy' (best practices) that worked very well, thank you very much!

I tell ya boys, when you voted in the suits you brought in big city thinking for small town problems (and the price tag that goes with it). Fixing what's not broken and ignoring what needs fixing is not how to be doing things. Our municipal guys know what they're doing, they've been doing it for a long time, and doing it well. Why don't you let them do what they know how to do and get back to work on fixing what needs fixing?

Finally, maybe what's needed at municipal hall is a new policy... a policy on priorities (instead of just making policies for policy sake the priority?). That way you can get on with real priorities instead of letting the small stuff bog you down.

Please give us back our old snow removal policy. And while you're at it, leave our spring cleanup alone too. Stop trying to fix what ain't broken, and fix instead what is... our equipment, employee morale and potholed streets, for example.


Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand.

Elk Valley, Alberta?

Talks are underway between the Alberta and B.C. provincial governments to discuss the Elk Valley joining this side of the provincial border.

The Crowsnest Pass Promoter learned that representatives of the Elk Valley recently approached Alberta officials to see if they could amalgamate with the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.

An undisclosed source said Elk Valley residents, including Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford, are unhappy with B.C.'s taxation laws.

"The extra burden of the HST is the last straw," he said.

Efforts are underway to consider the logistics of this area separating from their current province and to determine the impacts such a move would have on both economies.

From a Crowsnest Pass perspective, the move would significantly increase the tax base as we would reap the benefits of Teck's contribution to municipal coffers.

Other pluses would include shopping costs without the extra HST and indoor swimming pools.

Skiers however will not be happy as Fernie Ski Resort said they'd implement their own money in order to charge Albertans accordingly.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Joni MacFarlane, Editor
Crowsnest Promoter


Note: Good one by Joni! She caught me, did she catch you? :-)


Laughter is the closest distance between two people.