Odds and ends.

A few things garnered from across the net that I found interesting.

Political correctness run amok as editors decide that cartoon which doesn't even have Muhammad in it is too controversial to print.    Story here, and cartoon here



Speaking of editors. "Beased", ahem!

Obama's former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel makes a video about home.


George Galloway show us here exactly why he will NEVER sue Jason Kenney.


Hope for the unemployable peeping tom sect or perhaps the future of CCTV in Canada?


And finally support Canadian art, Terry and Deaner need your help. (Warning a sense of humour required.  NSFW) Bonus footage with a VERY familiar background.

Quick snips.

Gerard Kennedy thinks Canadians have become timid people: Have the intervening years since the Vietnam War really made us that much more timid as a people? Make sure to read the comments from all the timid people who call Kennedy out on this foolishness.
You know, I think we started getting timid as a people just about the time Ignatieff left the country; coincidence?

The Silk Stocking's view.

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The understatement of the week award goes to an anonymous Liberal for the following bit of spin: "We have huge room for growth and will be orienting our efforts to achieving a broader and deeper level of commitment from women to the Liberal agenda.” Huge room for growth all right.

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The aftershocks still rumble through the OLO 3 days and 351,628 Views later.

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Another example of Liberal optimism or a case of sticking fingers in their ears and going "La la la la, I can't hear you?

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Ignatieff plays the heavy:"He took actions earlier in the week that have consequences. He's living the consequences." What consequences would those be Michael? Not having to subject himself to one of your boring speeches while trying to eat another rubber chicken dinner? Poor Denis, how he must be suffering.

Hmm, this is interesting: "As for Coderre's absence at the meeting, several said they understood that he was in his riding caring for his sick father." Consequences? Nah, it couldn't be.

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Ralph Goodale and John McCallum are having a bad day.

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Floor crossing rumours take a back seat to the news that Ruby Dhalla has been named as a "special" advisor to the Liberals on child poverty. I wonder how well her "beat them until they are no longer poor" strategy will go over. If only those poor children would have had nannies none of this would have happened.

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Liberal MP's want the government to apologize to Suaad Hagi Mohamud before all of the facts have been determined. Never mind those little details about if or where she went to school, the name of that big lake beside Toronto, her own son's birthday or the date of her marriage, the name of the company she worked for, and of course the minor detail of how she was 6 cm shorter than her drivers license stated, just give her the cash you evil conservatives and say you are sorry. (updated with NP story on those the Liberals hurt with their smears)

This morning at the OLO

Aide: Good morning sir, here is your much needed coffee.

Michael Ignatieff: Thank you Jeeves. By the way have you seen my media scan of the latest news stories about me?

Aide: Nice weather we are having.

MI: Um, yes it is but I would prefer a rainy day over a sunny one. I get some of my best thoughts thunk on rainy days. (long pause) Now where is that media scan?

Aide: The dog ate it sir.

MI: Dog? I don't have a dog. I have a Burmese cat who like myself is a rather refined creature who would never resort to eating common things such as a paper.

Aide: Er, I have to go. I am pretty sure that I left a roast in the oven and my front door unlocked so......

MI: Somehow I am having a hard time believing that Jeeves since you are a vegetarian and you live in my basement. Is there something in that scan that you think I shouldn't see?

Aide: (pointing to the other side of the room) What's that? (running out of room while MI turns his head)

MI: Jeeves? Jeeves? (Goes back to drinking his coffee)

(a knock at the door)

MI: (Looks up) Come on in Bob.

Bob Rae: Good morning leader, how is your coffee today? Oh and I have a copy of today's media scan for you. (smiles as he hands MI a copy of the media scan)



The latest top 5 stories for Liberal Party found at Google News at the time of writing:

Fall election risky for Liberals.

Ignatieff needs a makeover.

A cure for election fever.

Ignatieff missing in action.

Fall election might not be good for Liberals.

2 hours lost and other weekend thoughts.

A few thoughts and mini link dump for a Saturday.

First the political: Could someone please explain to me why unions( CUPE, USW, CEP) have standing at the NDP convention and are allowed to submit policy proposals to the floor? Local EDA's can do this as they are made up of paid party members who are supposed to represent the members/grassroots in their EDA's. They do the party grunt work and are the backbone of the party so this is understandable, but why unions? Unions are no longer allowed to donate money directly to political parties, they are not representative of any type of grassroots, they do not vote, and although they can spend to advertise and do lobby both in out of the writ period, this spending is not guaranteed and certainly it is not guaranteed to be for the benefit of the NDP. Also since the unions never ask or put to a vote of their own members if they should be spending money advocating for a particular political party, or coming up with policy proposals for that party, why would such non democratic principles be welcomed in a party that wants to now be called the Democratic Party?

I would really like to hear the reasoning and logic for allowing this. Anyone?

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Arrrg. Without looking it up I would say that we have already lost well over 2 hours of sunlight a day since the start of summer, last night there was a frost warning for outside of the city, and the leaves on my neighbors tree are starting to turn yellow; all of this can only mean one thing, I must kill that damn tree. Perhaps there is hope though, maybe PM Harper does have a weather machine and can stop all of this nonsense.

Related: From the above linked Scott Feschuck article comes perhaps the best subtle burn of the month: On Ignatieff "Author of several great books and also his latest book." Ouch!

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Some US politics: I know this is being discussed all over the web but I think these 3 videos sum up the nuttiness and hypocrisy of the left in a way words cannot.







So the Democrats like protesters when it suits them but play the Nazi card when the protests are against them. Lovely and typical.

Here is Glen Beck with a very nice collection of idiocy and hypocrisy.



What is up with using all of these Nazi references anyway? Pelosi opened the can of worms with her comments above and since then the floodgates have been opened with all sides comparing everyone and everything to Nazis. Are they not aware how desperate and foolish this looks? There is even a law on this subject: Godwin's Law: "As a Usenet (online) discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1." Which basically means that when you play the Nazi card you have already lost the argument.


This is insane. Where will this nonsense end? I mean the next thing you know anyone wearing a black hat with a skull on it is going to be called a Nazi.

Real Nazi:


Not a real Nazi:
Which is silly; I mean they could just be a pirate or any number of other things ;)





Lighten up it is a joke and goes to show just how stupid playing the Nazi card really is so don't sue me.

Enjoy your weekend.

What can the Liberals really expect to gain from the coalition?

Other than a backdoor chance at a return to power, I got nothing. Anyone?






Update link dumps: all thing coup.

adding links for posterity: Original story BTF Another BTF .

Ipsos and Compass Ekos Leger PTBC poll roundup.

Joanne has rally mania.

Worthy of being seen again. Election 2008 video.

This post is going to end up being a link dump for, IMHO, what are some of the more interesting videos of the campaign. I hope you enjoy them.

The PM quick thinking on vegetables. Listen to the media laugh out loud at the end.






This was well before the call, but I like it and it is my blog.



A well done Terminator parody.






Well this one speaks for itself. Thank you CBC.



Matt's video that started it all. (already linked to here)






Dion on Israel, clueless and caught in a big lie.



"I thought this meeting was for us and not ...these bunch of media people" Dion press conference goes terribly wrong. Note his strong leadership skills. Not.




Dion has no answer but he didn't "hear" the question according to Liberal spin. Too bad he repeats the question himself.




The spin. "Maybe it was...." If you don't know Stephane who does? (he blames it on a hearing problem with a straight face)







The aftermath. Dion goes green and goes 'Hulk' on a CTV reporter




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Late Night T&O

Thoughts and opinions with a few links for Nov 16th 2007.

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As promised in an earlier post, the great Steve Janke has more on the details of the old in and out.

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The airbus story goes on and on, and like myself, Bob Fife thinks all of this is only going to benefit Shreiber.

"Mr. Schreiber is saying that he's not trying to use the court system to delay his extradition to Germany," CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife said Thursday.

"That's just completely unbelievable."

Fife said Schreiber has had opportunities over the last 15 years to come forward with any allegations of wrongdoing.

"If he knew about this meeting with Mr. Mulroney he should have told people a long time ago," said Fife.

"The only reason he's talking about this now is that he's on the doorstep to being extradited to Germany."

My guess is Mr. Mulroney will also do well himself in all of this, and the liberals will again not be happy the longer this drags out over time.

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So the Liberals might be revisiting something else other than the GST. Could this be the issue that gets the Liberals up off of their hands? Just do your jobs and fix the damn thing up in committee. All parties basically agree and if you can't do what you get paid for and work together on such a small bill, then lets get on with the election so things can be accomplished.

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Some fake news to outrage the masses. This kind of thing of course has gone on before, but yet so few are aware of it because they get their news from the MSM.

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Dr. Roy has a little bit on Sharia Law in Saudi Arabia. Even with all of its problems, I think I will stick with Canadian law thank you very much.

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Speaking of Canadian justice; There is a big difference between a volunteer army and one that drafts people into it. The SCoC agrees, Elizabeth May and Shirley Douglas are outraged, Keifer Sutherland had no comment.

From the Anthill March 22nd 2007

Another from the Anthill post because there is just too much to discuss and some great links are calling out to be saved.

A new poll out today, and the few Liberals supporters that remain are not taking it well, or so says Neo at the Halls of Macadamia. Watch it here at CTV while it lasts.

From the same story (and news clip) John Reynolds has his second quote of the day. The first was when he told Martha Hall Finlay to "Grow up" after she was complaining about what a mean guy Harper is.

Here is his other quote from the above CTV news stories."I like winning -- and we're going to win a majority government."

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Some comments from David Akin's political blog at CTV that made me laugh.

"Joe Comuzzi will be proud of this decision for the rest of his days. Stephen Dion will be lamenting his foolish decision for the few days he has left as the Liberal leader." link

" .....If Brian Tobin doesn't switch his cell phone off this weekend, I doubt that he will get any time at all with his own family." link

I wonder how well Dion would poll in a battle with Tobin about who would make a better leader right about now?

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Backseatblogger has a great clip up about an interesting sentence handed down by a US judge. Double bonus: Watch the reporter at the beginning of the story, it is worth the effort.

Maybe she should sign up for Kates Cat offset program.

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More trouble in the left side of the blog world. First Liblogs and now Progblogs.

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Blogger pleads guilty of death threat to PM. FYI a psych assessment in Alberta usually requires a 30 day stay in a nice mental health facility while the docs get a nice look at you. I wonder if this news is causing Allen Varlaki to loose any sleep?

Good night everyone.

Al

From The Anthill Mar 1, 2007

Lots of things to comment on but not enough time for single posts on each topic; the curse of the middle class working blogger.

The latest poll numbers are out (Angus Reid Decima) , and while I do not put much stock into polls in general, I do not see the Liberal numbers going up in the near future. The Liberals do not get it, but Canadians do.

More free advice from the Ardvark: Once you guys figure out that you lost the election for good reason and that you are not entitled by some kind of divine right to be the government, maybe then Canadians will give you a shot at power. Your performance and actions so far in opposition has been dismal and it constantly reminds voters as to why they voted your Liberal Party out.

It is really that simple, but judging by how the new brain trust over there has been handling things, I do not expect to see results on this very soon.

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So, Al Gore buys carbon credits from a company he helped found, and is chairman of?

h/t Promo Christian

I think it is kind of a Boris Karloff thing; making money from scaring people, brilliant!!! An angle that even the great Suzuki has yet to think of, but some others have.

And don't forget to send me that cash! We both will sleep better knowing you did.

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Do you think this could be true? A little tease: I think we’ll see Garth pop right back into that National Press Building room he loves to visit every six weeks to announce that Elizabeth May is the only visionary to lead the country in no time!

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Diabetes rates are rising in Canada at an alarming rate. Another sign that we are going soft.

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Pablo Rodriguez deserves something nice, perhaps a nice muffin or fruit basket. *

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It is all over for the Oilers this year; after last years run this is a tough one to take for many fans, but they are fans and will bounce back.

Speaking of the Oilers, why all the fuss about Ryan Smyth being traded? He didn't sign because he didn't get a big enough offer from the Oil, and the tears of a millionaire should not take away the fact that this is business entertainment and it was his choice. Yes I said entertainment; sports is something you play, not watch. ( see the above reference to diabetes)

Besides, anyone old enough to have seen Gretzky get traded, should not get that upset because Smyth left.

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It looks like Bill 257, better known as the Bloc sponsored anti-scab bill, might die. There is still plenty of time for Dion to try to pull another 'I am a leader' ploy, so I will just wait for the vote tally before I relax.

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And last for tonight I must thank Mr. Pierre Bourque from Bourque Newswatch
as he linked my post on Iggy's sideshow comments on his site. I thought my sitemeter was broken when I looked at then traffic numbers, and the best part is that it didn't cost me a thing =)



* for historical reference.

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Update of a few more recent items of interest to myself.

Read the comments on this post from Red Tory as a great example.


Just Right has an angry climate scientist here.

Everybody loves a good smackdown, and Officially Screwed has one up of Marlene Jennings on the receiving end again.


A supporter of Bill 257 has no clue what he is talking about. Telecommunications/ internet service has already been ruled NOT to be an essential service by the CIRB, nor has any airline that I am aware of, so the unions in these areas could easily paralyze the country on a whim and this bill would help them do just that. The bill is so one sided even the Liberals cannot support it in good conscience, and that is saying something.

From the Anthill : February 18th, 2007

Time for a catch up post on recent events.

Why all the fuss about Liberal appointed CDS General Hillier bringing up the "decade of darkness" again?

This is not the first time he has used that line in a speech, it is the truth (Liberals all failed history), and just a few months ago PM Harper was being accused of muzzling Gen. Hillier and now when the General speaks out, it becomes another Liberal created imaginary crisis which they would solve if only they were back in power. For heavens sake, please think of Susan Delacourt and her laying awake at nights thinking about those soldiers with guns in our streets, and have some compassion.

Thanks Denis Coderre; you have brought forward a quote by the general that would have otherwise gone unnoticed and not only exposed your partys, as well as your own weaknesses on this issue, but have given the Conservatives a big boost in one of their bread and butter issues. Some free advice for the Liberals:All the spin in the world won't ever make the Liberals look like they are friends of the Canadian Military, that horse left the barn long ago.

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Speaking of Denis Coderre; he is but one Liberal who sits on the HUMA Committee, which is dealing with the Bloc Quebecois sponsored Bill C-257. This nightmare of a bill has a chance of passing if enough Liberals support it. I would normally not be worried about such a flawed piece of legislation passing because the Liberals have twice voted down similar legislation in the past, but watching Dion flip flop from old Liberal positions and ideas to those of the far left, I am beginning to become a bit more concerned.

My original post on 257.

The NCC has some good stuff up as well.

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Dion looks to be flip flopping on the Liberals own anti terror legislation, which is causing some degree of problems among the few Liberals left who are not totally Left. I don't agree with Anne McLellan often, but in this case I agree that she is correct when she said this:
"After 9/11, we did not actually believe we were going to have to deal with homegrown terrorists." "The situation today is, if anything, more dangerous and more complex and the powers have never been abused, so why would you take these tools away from law enforcement?"

Do not forget that Dion himself voted for this legislation in 2001. Leadership at work, Dion style.

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Opposition parties pushed through legislation on Wednesday that requires the Conservative government to respect Canada's commitments under the Kyoto accord. There is just so much wrong with this legislation that I am astounded that Dion could think that Canadians stupid enough to buy into this cheap political trick.

I may be wrong, but I have not seen 1 single MSM organization that supported this move by Dion, as the reality of the situation makes the legislation all but impossible to accomplish (something which Dion HAS admitted himself in the past). This is but one example from the Toronto Star, which judging from the negative stories they have been writing about Mr.Dion lately, that I am beginning to get them confused with the Toronto Sun.
"There is a widespread consensus – stretching way beyond Conservative ranks – that Canada cannot even come close to meeting its Kyoto greenhouse emission reduction objectives in time for the 2012 deadline without launching a major offensive against the energy industries of provinces such as Alberta, and/or inflicting a crippling hit to the already flagging auto industry in Ontario, and/or diverting a debilitating amount of federal resources to a single cause."

Dion puts another nail in his political coffin and Iggy, Rae, Manley and perhaps a few others are probably out buying new black suits in anticipation of the funeral.

It has been a very busy Sunday.

Too much to comment on when so many others have already done such a great job.

Link Dump.

Canadian Christian Conservative on Mark Holland, and the Ottawa Citizen's Randall Denley article about how Dion is NOT fit to lead this country.

A Step to the Right with Coren's Sun article on Dion.

Kate on Mark Holland here and here.

Former environment minister Anderson from CTV

Progressive Conservative on the Liberals ability to take a position.

BBS has the Mp3 of Dions interview by the editorial staff at the Citizen here. It is an hour long and painful to listen to, but it reveals much about Dion.

Not a good day in Liberal Land.

The National Post has this editorial today.