Blog Feed: Impolitical

Clement's user fees kabuki dance

Published on 2011-07-05 05:03:00

Well this seems strange: "Federal departments to propose user fees hikes despite government promises."The Harper government may have vowed that cutting the deficit would not lead to higher user fees, but documents show that as many as a dozen federal > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-07-01 19:34:00

Some Canadiana this week. Happy Canada Day to all! > read more

Great day for Nortel

Published on 2011-07-01 18:15:00

Not for everybody though: Nortel Networks Corp. has auctioned off its remaining patents to a "rock star" group of technology companies in the biggest patent sale in history, ending a massive selloff that generated US$7.7 billion for the insolvent for > read more

More on the AECL farce

Published on 2011-06-30 16:33:00

From the smart folks at Enviralment:Montreal-based engineering firm SNC-Lavalin has begrudgingly stepped up to buy the commercial arm of the crown corporation. The firm is no stranger to CANDU technology, having worked closely with AECL in the past, > read more

Ritz on the Wheat Board plebiscite

Published on 2011-06-30 05:00:00

It's quick, you'll get it in the first ten seconds. More here, "Ritz takes swipe at CWB; says plebiscite irrelevant," and in this piece which quotes Oberg, the Wheat Board Chair with details on the summer's plebiscite. The result will be in before th > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-06-29 21:07:00

Are you tired of Glastonbury yet? I'm not. Yes, Beyonce with her all girl band it is tonight. She was quite awesome on Sunday, closed it out. This fan video is not bad actually, it sounds good even though it's a bit jumpy visually. You have to be Am > read more

$15 million for AECL

Published on 2011-06-29 17:14:00

"Ottawa sells AECL to SNC-Lavalin." The federal government is selling Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.’s Candu division for $15-million and future royalties, after pouring billions of dollars into the troubled nuclear company to get it ready for privat > read more

Wednesday drive-by blogging

Published on 2011-06-29 06:37:00

From some American links that caught the eye and offer a mirror to things Canadian in their own respective ways...First, a brilliant post, "Democracy and Gay Marriage" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. On what turned one New York Senator to vote yes to gay marria > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-06-28 21:38:00

Look at the crowd for Laura Marling, wow. What a great voice. > read more

24 hours in post-election & post-parliamentary session developments

Published on 2011-06-28 06:23:00

A few items from the past 24 hours that have that air of careful timing to them for a government that would prefer such things to occur beyond the parliamentary session.1. "Axe hits Industry Canada amid questions about timing of Tory cuts." "...the t > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-06-27 22:52:00

More from Glastonbury, Ed Sheeran who is 20 years old! Man. "Cool girl, no phone...," great line. > read more

Arts funding arbitrariness

Published on 2011-06-27 19:04:00

Despite the diplomatic reaction by a SummerWorks board member, this does seem like a predictable result given last year's Prime Ministerial public pronouncement about the content of one play put on by SummerWorks, a Toronto summer theatre festival: " > read more

Liberalbook

Published on 2011-06-27 16:40:00

That's what it looks like to me and it's a needed evolution. There are lots of discussions out there on the future of the party in niches yet this central gathering place was missing. Only critique, what is with the muzak...come on people! > read more

Going to plan

Published on 2011-06-27 07:36:00

As a clever person pointed out to me last week, the fall 2008 economic update is being executed now quite swimmingly following the election. We saw this one come to fruition in the budget: Today, our Government is eliminating the $1.95-per-vote taxpa > read more

Horwath gaffe watch

Published on 2011-06-27 06:44:00

So, the Ontario election campaign is getting a little more interesting of late. This quote by NDP leader Andrea Horwath really deserves a second look: “I’m putting a party back in the party,” Horwath, 48, said Sunday, one day after raising eyeb > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-06-26 23:31:00

From the UK Glastonbury music festival, which is now over. Glastonbury's always worth watching just for the crowds and how they get into the songs, like this one. It's magic. Just when you think a group may sound tired, they surprise. Oh, and you h > read more

Afghan detainee docs released

Published on 2011-06-22 18:30:00

4000 of 40,000 documents have been released this afternoon. There may be much discussion to come on what is being released, how much has been redacted, etc. This report from the reviewers who worked in conjunction with the committee is important back > read more

The RCMP G8 evaluation in the early going

Published on 2011-06-22 06:35:00

The way the news of a possible RCMP investigation into the Harper government's G8 spending broke yesterday really was interesting. We have learned, courtesy of the Auditor General's review, of $50 million being spent on G8 legacy projects in Tony Cle > read more

70 years ago today

Published on 2011-06-22 05:58:00

For the history buffs out there, this is one of Churchill's very memorable speeches selected in Brad DeLong's liveblog of today in World War II: "Winston Churchill Liveblogs World War II: June 22, 1941.""We have but one aim and one single, irrevocabl > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-06-21 22:59:00

whimsyandcolour.com: Prairie Waves, Squiggly Line CloudsToday was the summer solstice, did you miss it?Thanks to Theo who, as always, likes to share his art. > read more

The results are in

Published on 2011-06-21 18:52:00

While it's interesting to have a glance at an early sense from Canadians on how they're feeling about what they just elected federally, part of this Nanos poll seems utterly useless: About one-third of survey respondents (32.3 per cent) said Prime Mi > read more

Quebec fallout still unfolding

Published on 2011-06-21 06:40:00

According to this report last night, another PQ MNA, Benoit Charette, is about to leave the party and that will be announced today: "Au tour du député de Deux-Montagnes de quitter le PQ." He is said to be close to Francois Legault. For non-Quebecer > read more

Party officials with newspaper columns

Published on 2011-06-21 05:26:00

Quite a read, Brian Topp's just in from Vancouver item in the Globe on Monday. I expected him to tell us more, given this opening:The New Democratic Party met in convention this weekend. What happened and what did it mean?There are glowing lines abou > read more

Liberal Extraordinary Convention: Leadership in 2013

Published on 2011-06-18 18:10:00

Just a quick post here on the results of this afternoon's convention which went off without a hitch and with much collegiality on Twitter.The date for selection of the next leader was the principal issue of the day. A proposal initiated by a North Va > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-06-17 20:25:00

Going with a Deadmau5 fave this week. If you want new stuff, check out the NXNE music festival going on all over Toronto, lots of variety there. These highlights are from Wednesday but they're posting videos for each day:Have a good night! > read more

Liberal Extraordinary Convention tomorrow

Published on 2011-06-17 19:21:00

The details surrounding the Liberal Extraordinary Convention are online. The event is going to be fully open to the public with a live audio stream along with a livechat as well. Peter Milliken is chairing the event, Bob Rae will be giving an initial > read more

Go Canucks...and a few other things

Published on 2011-06-15 07:24:00

It's the big Canucks game day and all so people are likely not going to be very interested in Canadian politics. But some big things are happening that bear mentioning.First of all, the ludicrous situation with how the two strike actions going on in > read more

CANARIE chirps about their funding

Published on 2011-06-14 16:03:00

A follow-up to yesterday's post, "Setting a high tech government funded asset adrift," where the sunsetting of funding for CANARIE, Canada’s Advanced Research and Innovation Network, was raised. I did so based on a post at OpenMedia.ca by a media a > read more

Canada Wheat Board fight begins

Published on 2011-06-14 05:46:00

As the video above explains, the NDP government in Manitoba, facing an election in October this year, is rolling out taxpayer funded ads to oppose the federal Conservatives' intended move to take away the Wheat Board's monopoly: "Manitoba releases pr > read more

Setting a high tech government funded asset adrift

Published on 2011-06-13 17:17:00

Here is an item today that may be an indicator of the ideological underpinnings of this government shining through. See this post from Dwayne Winseck at the OpenMedia.ca site on the government's decision to no longer fund Canada’s Advanced Research > read more

"Not a budget for one Canada"

Published on 2011-06-11 07:24:00

Thought I would just do an overview kind of post on Bob Rae's House of Commons budget debate remarks from earlier this week. You can see it above (runs about 20 minutes on the video) and you can find the text here. I just want to highlight some of th > read more

Ontario's declining GHG emissions

Published on 2011-06-11 05:05:00

Saw this on Live Free or Die's blog where he cites a recent Pembina item on Ontario's declining greenhouse gas emissions. Good roundup of GHG data. This part stood out for me:Inside Canada, provincial emissions results almost always generate some int > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-06-10 20:52:00

Going with this full version of a remix that was given mucho attention this week by one Pete Tong: Also kicking around from the last week of listening, Example, some old Matthew Good and, oh, I don't know...Kaskade! Can't let a week go by these > read more

It matters

Published on 2011-06-09 18:03:00

Just wanted to pick up on a thought in Warren Kinsella's post on the release of the Auditor General's report today: "Lying liars."The Auditor General's report has confirmed what came up during the election, that there was serious non-disclosure to Pa > read more

The "low tax plan for jobs and growth" considering user fees

Published on 2011-06-08 14:57:00

Pop quiz: What do we call paying more money for government services? Mr. Clement said departments are being asked to develop two proposals for cabinet to consider: one that involves a 5-per-cent cut and another for a 10-per-cent cut. The focus of the > read more

Rae 1, Layton 0

Published on 2011-06-07 05:53:00

Let's have some post-budget fun in bleak majority land! Let's compare the Rae and Layton reactions to the budget: "Opposition slams Tories’ ‘groundhog budget’." (Well, some of us look at this kind of thing in a fun way...) Layton on the budget > read more

G20 hearings continue in Toronto tonight

Published on 2011-06-06 04:33:00

Public hearings continue tonight in the west end of Toronto: 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall. There is a narrow question at the heart of these hearings and posed to those making submissions: "What role should ci > read more

Sunday drive-by blogging

Published on 2011-06-05 19:21:00

With thanks to pogge for the blog post title. Meant to describe shorter, list-style blog posts that raise issues in a glancing sense, not a violent one by any means! 1. The Russians really are coming. Proving once again how silly some of the rhetoric > read more

Prog Blogs down

Published on 2011-06-05 08:09:00

I see some bloggers are a little out of sorts due to Progressive Bloggers being down. They're hitting their blog rolls in lieu of the site. Hey, people? Do you not use Google Reader? I have the blog roll in the sidebar but I also have a ton of Canadi > read more

Carbon tax campaign brings climate of intimidation in Australia

Published on 2011-06-05 05:00:00

Remarkable goings on in Australia: "Australian climate scientists face death threats, cyberbullying." Australia's leading climate change scientists are being targeted by a vicious, unrelenting email campaign that has resulted in police investigations > read more

Sneaky

Published on 2011-06-04 17:07:00

Updated (Sunday a.m.) below.File under things that might have been inflammatory during a federal election that are now being rolled out and are objectionable. The Canadian military is in talks to establish a permanent presence in up to seven foreign > read more

Life in the Senate

Published on 2011-06-04 15:39:00

One of our favourite Senators, Senator Elaine McCoy, is back in the blogosphere after a bit of an absence from her blog, Hullabaloos. Back with some wit on display yesterday as she liveblogged the Throne Speech. Some excerpts and fun insights: Well h > read more

"Restraining the welfare state"

Published on 2011-06-04 06:25:00

This piece last Sunday in the Star, "Restraining the welfare state," by Stanford Professor Michael Boskin, a former Bush the first adviser, has evoked a fair response in letters to today's Star: "Welfare argument full of holes." Boskin's thesis was t > read more

A lesson in change

Published on 2011-06-04 04:46:00

"USC's 21st Century Virtual Classroom": In the spring of 2008, John Katzman, the founder of the Princeton Review, approached the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at at the University of Southern California with a revolutionary idea. USC coul > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-06-03 18:34:00

OK, Coldplay, I have been known to like you in the past, so I give you a shot here. This does sound like an effort to catch the popular electronic vibe in their own way: "Ebullient chords and melodic uplift are never far from the kind of non-specifi > read more

What happens when august institutions are disrespected

Published on 2011-06-03 15:46:00

(source) (click to enlarge)It breeds disrespect. That reference in the blog post title is to Mr. Harper's government and the actions it has taken which have bred that disrespect for one of the most esteemed institutions in Canada. The seat of our gov > read more

Today in Rae

Published on 2011-06-02 18:20:00

Today marked the return of Parliament with the election of the new Speaker this afternoon. Life in the Harper majority era is formally beginning. Just want to note a few observations from the past 24 hours here in terms of Rae's debut as interim lead > read more

Soudas departing

Published on 2011-06-01 16:09:00

The Globe headline this aft as news comes that one of Harper's most committed partisans is leaving: "Harper loyalist Dimitri Soudas stepping down as PMO spokesman." Termed a loyalist in a headline of the national paper. It sounds quite honourable at > read more

Worst ever carbon emissions in 2010

Published on 2011-06-01 04:52:00

Reported on Sunday in the Guardian: Greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest carbon output in history, putting hopes of holding global warming to safe levels all but out of reach, according to unpublished estima > read more

Frère Jacques...

Published on 2011-05-31 05:00:00

There are some questions for you today. Lawrence Martin asks: "Are the NDP more Bloc than the Bloc?" Claude Morin has a shopping list of questions along similar lines too. Not surprisingly, he's a bit more specific in his approach.What is that sayin > read more

"Like winning bingo on the Titanic"

Published on 2011-05-30 16:11:00

Briony Penn, 2008 Liberal candidate in Saanich-Gulf Islands with some post-election thoughts: On the evening of May 2, along with the majority of Canadians, I was stunned. “Like winning bingo on the Titanic” was the saying that captured the mood > read more

Rae interview on Radio-Canada

Published on 2011-05-29 21:42:00

Rae is interviewed on Les coulisses du pouvoir. He speaks of a culture of division, a lack of solidarity within the Liberal party that is dangerous, about how Liberals differ from the Conservatives and NDP and finally in the last two minutes or so, t > read more

We're all in this together...except when it's bad for business

Published on 2011-05-26 05:22:00

Totally agree with Patrick Lagacé this morning. There are 500 Canadian troops at present in the Richelieu River valley. Peter MacKay toured the area yesterday. He and the federal government have been asked to have the troops stay to help the people > read more

Obama at Westminster

Published on 2011-05-25 20:07:00

He's getting his mojo back! Man, that guy knows how to deliver a speech. Said for the thousandth time... > read more

You go, Bob

Published on 2011-05-25 17:57:00

(source)A little bit of hope after a tough month. Bob Rae is now officially confirmed as Liberal interim leader. "That means our party has to become, which it has always been at its best, a bit of a movement, a movement for change, a movement for pr > read more

Tory leadership selection politics, an ongoing saga

Published on 2011-05-25 07:24:00

Leadership selection rules are making a bit of a splash on the Conservative scene at the moment. Two MPs, Reid and Kenney, are said to be pushing for a rule change in the leadership selection process that would allot greater voting power to the big r > read more

Not clear enough, Jack

Published on 2011-05-25 06:09:00

Don't mess with the hard-fought clarity rules on secession, please: New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton found himself embroiled in the riptides of Quebec constitutional politics Tuesday after he avoided publicly reaffirming his own party’s posi > read more

Blog notes - Tuesday, May 24th

Published on 2011-05-24 07:20:00

For the life of me, I can't come up with a blog post title that expresses that I just want to include a number of items, briefly and that has some kind of appeal. It just never comes to me. Oh well. It's only been about six years I've been writing th > read more

A U.S. shift to more reality-based journalism?

Published on 2011-05-23 06:06:00

This really is a brilliant little post. Pointing to a "pro-reality" shift in U.S. media away from years of the press giving Republicans freedom to roam with "delusional" ideas such as birtherism, climate change denialism and their economic theories i > read more

Saturday notes

Published on 2011-05-21 05:52:00

A good read today from Doug Saunders:"Why did all the West’s big centrist parties go down the drain?" A useful comparative piece that suggests there are larger issues at play with the demise of many of these parties in addition to nation-specific f > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-05-20 20:02:00

I go with something fun and light this week. Have a good night! > read more

Behold another power accruing to the PM

Published on 2011-05-20 19:44:00

Kudos to Boris for keeping a watch on the PM and his (and other cabinet members) creeping tendency to wear military garb. It may seem like a small thing, but this is how symbolism is being used to reinforce a presidential aura around this PM. Lawrenc > read more

Rae for interim leader

Published on 2011-05-19 15:56:00

Confirms he will run for interim leader in a statement that is unifying and optimistic: Colleagues and friends,I want to advise you that I am willing to let my name stand for the position of interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is my un > read more

Governance conundrums & other notes

Published on 2011-05-19 05:52:00

1. I would smile if I were this guy too. Very smart social networking site that gets the short shrift in comparison to the Twitters, the Facebooks. 2. An interesting international governance conundrum demonstrating how important succession rules are. > read more

Documenting the atrocities

Published on 2011-05-18 17:00:00

First, a few choice words from John Ivison who has an angle that may bear fruit in coming years. Yes, years. The line from the Harper government was this a new ministry that will govern for all Canadians – particularly, it seems, those Canadians wh > read more

Baird to Foreign Affairs & other shuffle notes

Published on 2011-05-18 07:21:00

The last time I wrote one of these cabinet shuffle posts I was angrily and ceremoniously unfollowed by a guy on Twitter. Apparently I was being "disrespectful" to the Prime Minister who was in the midst of a lengthy prorogation and yet who had sudden > read more

Opposing the Lawful Access legislation

Published on 2011-05-17 05:22:00

The folks over at OpenMedia.ca are starting up a campaign to engage Canadians on the Harper government's proposed lawful access legislation, likely to come back before Parliament when it returns in early June. It is supposed to be part of that 100 da > read more

Harp will no doubt take note

Published on 2011-05-16 20:20:00

He may have help as he seeks that $4 billion in cuts: The clout of these and other advocates for government unions could be significant in the coming battle over departmental budgets. Harper has vowed to find $4 billion a year in cuts to direct feder > read more

Economy, economy, economy

Published on 2011-05-16 07:05:00

Throne speech June 3rd:“The throne speech will be focussed on the priority of Canadians - the economy,” said a senior official. “Canadians elected us because we were focussed on their priorities: their jobs, their financial security and their f > read more

Republicans evolving their anti-tax obsession

Published on 2011-05-16 05:54:00

These indications are notable as the U.S. Congress grapples with its debt problem: Republicans are working hard to enforce their no-tax-increase-ever orthodoxy, but there are signs that the dam is beginning to break. On April 7, former Reagan budget > read more

Builders and deathers

Published on 2011-05-16 05:13:00

What this guy said:It is time for the media and the professional pundits to calm down and take a few days off before declaring the Liberal Party of Canada dead on arrival. Someone please force them to turn off Twitter for the moment and think in broa > read more

The first Liberal interim leadership candidate

Published on 2011-05-14 05:46:00

It's Marc Garneau. Just a quick post here on Thursday's news out of Ottawa that the Liberal party has its first post-Ignatieff candidate for the party leadership, at least for the interim job, anyway.Garneau was Canada's first person in space, travel > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-05-11 22:32:00

If you haven't seen this yet, it's an amazing time lapse video of some major North American cities along with some other scenery. Well chosen, powerful music that accompanies it. For almost a year, from late 2010 to 2011, photographer Dominic Boudrea > read more

Class act

Published on 2011-05-11 17:41:00

This:Outgoing Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and his wife, Zsuszanna Zsohar, stopped after a final caucus meeting with his colleagues on Wednesday to say thank you to the people of Canada for the time he spent in office.“The only thing, really, t > read more

The cart before the horse

Published on 2011-05-11 06:13:00

What I suspect will happen as well: Potential leadership candidate Bob Rae — who would be required to choose between a temporary or long-term crown — said MPs will hear from party president Alfred Apps but suggested there could be different views > read more

Coming soon to an internet near you

Published on 2011-05-10 17:33:00

"Will anonymity and hyperlinks be illegal in Canada?" Good question! Bill C-51, the Investigative Powers for the 21st Century Act has some issues, to say the least. Namely, these ones that are highlighted by a Maclean's blogger this afternoon: From t > read more

How fast

Published on 2011-05-10 07:01:00

Lawrence Martin says very, on leadership selection. On the other hand, Stephane Dion preaches patience. Il n'y a pas le feu: l'ancien chef du Parti libéral du Canada, Stéphane Dion, prône la patience comme approche de reconstruction du parti qui v > read more

Party changes

Published on 2011-05-09 20:11:00

I haven't had too much to say about all the internal party machinations commencing, for a few reasons. Have been adjusting to the loss and thinking about what it means, what to do that's useful to make a contribution in coming years (more on that ano > read more

Words of the day

Published on 2011-05-09 07:06:00

Some items for you this morning...Bob Rae uses a word that made me laugh out loud for the first time when reading a political news story over the last week. Just one little word did it. In a similar vein, Manon Corneiller has the must read column of > read more

Idea 2

Published on 2011-05-07 07:06:00

For Liberals, get going on this promise now, adapted to circumstances of course: Even further innovation is possible, deploying internet technology to involve Canadians directly. Under a Liberal government, all Canadians will be able to participate i > read more

The Attention Deficit Society

Published on 2011-05-07 05:27:00

If you have the time this weekend, there is a very worthwhile video at the Milken Institute site from a conference held this week. The session linked to was titled, "The Attention Deficit Society: What Technology Is Doing to Our Brains," where four e > read more

Mulcair's unresolved question

Published on 2011-05-06 16:19:00

Let's indulge this one, because it may say something about the NDP's new role and how they tackle questions from here on out. A new softening of pure ideological, third party positioning to conform to new pressures. Mulcair said this on Power and Pol > read more

Idea

Published on 2011-05-03 16:24:00

The internets will be this generation's Cité Libre, methinks: Cité Libre was an influential political journal published in Quebec, Canada, through the 1950s and 1960s. Co-founded in 1950 by editor and future Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau, > read more

Election Day

Published on 2011-05-02 05:00:00

The big day is here. I don't really have much to say and haven't for the past few days because there's not much to say until the results roll in. As for today, hope everyone is out there working hard. I'll be helping in my riding to get out the vote > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-04-29 23:02:00

Did I make it? Just under the wire... Have a good late night! > read more

Gerard Kennedy clips from the campaign

Published on 2011-04-29 14:26:00

A few videos from one of the all-candidates debates. The third one in particular should give you a sense of the campaign that Gerard's main opponent has run against him here. Have a good one...more canvassing on the agenda today! > read more

Peter Russell on contempt and the election

Published on 2011-04-28 21:30:00

A video worth watching and sharing. Professor Peter Russell, noted constitutional expert, offers some thoughts on the election and implications for parliamentary democracy. > read more

Chretien/Ignatieff rally in T.O. last night

Published on 2011-04-28 16:17:00

Videos from the event, worth watching. I also recommend reading this today. One person's criteria, one person's wrestling. Representative of the process a lot of people will be going through in the next few days. It ain't over, folks. Off to work fo > read more

Youth Debate 2011

Published on 2011-04-27 08:00:00

For those in Ottawa or online, it is being livestreamed. Seems like a worthwhile event. Idealistic youth from the major parties debating civilly, it could catch on! > read more

Memories of recent third party surges: U.K. election 2010

Published on 2011-04-27 06:24:00

A third party surges, bumping a longstanding rival party into third place for the first time in a country's recent memory. The third party surge is driven by a popular leader who performed well in televised debates. The headlines were dramatic. Sound > read more

Like two peas in a pod

Published on 2011-04-27 05:12:00

Wendy Mesley's excellent report from the National last night on Jason Kenney and his pal and Brampton-Springdale Conservative candidate Parm Gill, private citizen but somehow visa handler extraordinaire. Kenney comes off just mahvelously. > read more

The election through a TV critic's eyes

Published on 2011-04-26 23:58:00

Food for thought from John Doyle: And what truly struck me was finally seeing the infamous footage of Michael Ignatieff doing his “rise up” thing at an election event somewhere. He lists all the peculiarities of recent events engineered by the mi > read more

Tone at the top

Published on 2011-04-26 16:33:00

Conservative Dean Del Mastro's interaction with Peterborough residents gets some attention: "Canadian Conservatives Ignore, Censor, Bully and Threaten Critics.""Call for Election Canada guidelines for Social Media." Why would a Conservative candidate > read more

Tuesday: Election notes

Published on 2011-04-26 08:08:00

Sticking with this format today since the blog is suffering from a lack of time, apologies. 1. Why is that? It's get out the vote time and I'm trying to put in a bunch of time this week with my local campaign. If you haven't done so, Liberals out th > read more

Monday election notes

Published on 2011-04-25 07:39:00

A few quick items worth noting today...1. "Ignatieff gives solid performance on Quebec talk show, but is it enough?" Yes, he did well last night in the big Quebec television performance with a notable endorsement by famed Quebec performer Dominique M > read more

Statement by the Conservative Campaign on Malik controversy: *annotated*

Published on 2011-04-25 06:02:00

Yeah, this needs some help:The Conservative Party’s zero tolerance approach to the promotion of terrorism extends to supporters of Khalistani extremism. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said, the Air India terrorist attack was “an act of grot > read more

The Ignatieff Town Hall

Published on 2011-04-24 18:52:00

By-passing the media filter...pass it around. Liked that moment at the 9 minute mark where the audience member asks a pointed question. Gives a sense of what's gone on in these town halls.At the 20 minute mark...Ignatieff speaking about an anti-pover > read more

"What would you do for a few votes?"

Published on 2011-04-24 06:24:00

Above is the video from yesterday's Conservative event in Mississauga where Harper's supporters drowned out CBC reporter Terry Milewski who asked Harper a multi-part question on the Ripudaman Singh Malik endorsement of his Vancouver South candidate W > read more

Former CEO of Port of Montreal corroborates political interference by Soudas

Published on 2011-04-23 06:05:00

The former CEO of the Port of Montreal, Dominic Taddeo, confirms the reports of Dimitri Soudas' Port of Montreal political interference. So we have another voice contradicting the PM and Soudas. Also new here...news of a second meeting on the q > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-04-22 20:39:00

Have listened to that a lot in the past few weeks. Upbeat, big, complex, loud progressive house, yes. That remix has been out for a few months now. Something different, Kaskade on tour, kind of fun: All is well in the progressive blogosphere this eve > read more

Duceppe's Easter weekend bomb

Published on 2011-04-22 16:37:00

Interesting audiotapes someone has there, released by Gilles Duceppe on Thursday. That 2:45 mark especially. Le Devoir has background today on the story and further, why the Abdallah appointment would have been favoured by developers. It was their to > read more

Trouble for Conservatives on the hidden agenda front

Published on 2011-04-21 06:58:00

"Pro-life backers shaped Tory funding decision for Planned Parenthood." Pro-life supporters successfully influenced a government plan to deny funding to Planned Parenthood, says a Conservative seeking re-election.Brad Trost, incumbent for Saskatoon-H > read more

Developments in Quebec

Published on 2011-04-21 06:03:00

Two polls out last night show the NDP in front in Quebec, CROP (online, 1000 respondents, 13 to 20 April) and Ekos (telephone, 1084 respondents, 18 to 21 April). Some thoughts...First of all, as a Liberal, while I would prefer it if that movement in > read more

Harper on allegations of political interference: "normal"

Published on 2011-04-20 19:15:00

That's the upshot of Harper's response on the Dimitri Soudas issue today: "Soudas did nothing wrong in reaching out to Port of Montreal, Harper says." Those board members would say otherwise, those who felt inappropriately pressured. So would two of > read more

Carson story still raising questions about Harper's judgment

Published on 2011-04-20 17:46:00

Update (10:30 p.m.) below. Strange breaking news tonight on the Bruce Carson story, Harper's senior adviser with the many fraud convictions in his past and present day illegal lobbying allegations: "Harper aide sent letters to ethics chief on Carson. > read more

"What does he think he is? The king, here?"

Published on 2011-04-20 16:19:00

This how does our Parliament work stuff has played out fairly well today. Voters saw two very different approaches on display: Harper was asked today whether he would be willing to work with the other parties and table a budget they could support — > read more

Harper has some explaining to do

Published on 2011-04-20 06:21:00

More for the Harper government contempt files today. An issue of political interference by the Prime Minister's Office in the Port of Montreal's dealings is in the news. Specifically, the appointment of a new head of that body. It's not something the > read more

F-35 documentary airing this week

Published on 2011-04-20 05:07:00

Airing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week on CPAC. Times of the shows at the link. Sounds as if they have lined up some key pro and con voices on the F-35 proposal, so this might be useful election television viewing.Pugliese has also pointe > read more

Late night Harper on health care

Published on 2011-04-19 23:06:00

It's always a good time to be reminded of Harper's views on Canadian health care that have been expressed throughout his mature adult political life. That first quote is especially enjoyable, reminding people of Harper's former occupation, as Preside > read more

Ignatieff's National interview & Harper's future

Published on 2011-04-19 16:20:00

On my way out to canvass for the night so just two things...Michael Ignatieff is on the National tonight and CBC's site has a blazing headline: "Ignatieff would 'try' to form government if Harper loses confidence vote." Oh my. Except, hello, that's n > read more

A U.S. reckoning is a wake-up call for Canada

Published on 2011-04-19 05:31:00

A former tax cutting supporter reverses himself in the face of U.S. debt woes. Greenspan says enough already: Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan is stepping up his call for Congress to let the Bush-era tax cuts lapse.In an appearance Sunday on NBC’ > read more

You gotta be tougher than that, Mr. H!

Published on 2011-04-18 18:22:00

My, the fuss that occurs when a quote is misattributed to Stephen Harper. The party of attack politics who for years have been defaming Liberal leaders in particular, is all aflutter today: The Conservatives demanded a retraction early Monday, saying > read more

Stephen Harper's national unity record

Published on 2011-04-18 07:29:00

So we saw over the weekend that Harper is adding national unity to his electoral arsenal in support of his argument that a "strong, stable" Conservative majority is needed to fight a resurgent separatist threat.Well, polls in Quebec and some influent > read more

Polls and the hard truths of Quebec’s electoral map

Published on 2011-04-18 05:12:00

That was the title of a Globe piece on Saturday. An excerpt: Unlike the other parties, the NDP has no bastion of support in Quebec. The party’s vote is a mile wide and an inch deep. Even if popular support grows substantially, it’s spread so thin > read more

On the campaign trail in Victoria

Published on 2011-04-18 04:35:00

From the Liberal event in Victoria on Sunday. Woman At Mile 0 has some pictures too that give more sense of the crowd, she attended yesterday. Some coverage here, the environment seems to have figured prominently according to that report. > read more

Batteries not included

Published on 2011-04-17 17:23:00

Oh the damage control team is in hyper-drive, trying to tamp down the reporting that the F-35 boondoggle of a proposed deal to the tune of somewhere between $16 and $29 billion, depending on who you believe, doesn't include engines! Now they're assur > read more

More for the "not to be trusted" file

Published on 2011-04-17 16:51:00

John "say anything that pops into his head" Baird was caught in a significant contradiction the other day by the editorial board of the Ottawa Citizen. Following on news this week of the hidden $50 million in G8 legacy funds for Tony Clement's riding > read more

Saturday in Harper: defending his political staffers at the trough

Published on 2011-04-17 06:05:00

$11 billion in cuts coming according to Conservative plans but yesterday Harper affirmed who won't be feeling the axe: "Harper defends pay raises for political staff at time of budget belt-tightening." Here was the Harper bafflegab yesterday where he > read more

Rise up Canada/Debout, Canada

Published on 2011-04-16 15:32:00

Coverage of the speech yesterday. Yep, get mad. > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-04-15 22:52:00

Not about the video here...just a full-length version of one of Deadmau5's newest and best with good sound quality. Have a good night! > read more

Interesting seat projections from Ekos

Published on 2011-04-15 17:52:00

If this were to unfold, Ekos' seat projections as of today, life could be interesting in the next parliament. Conservatives 131Liberals 93NDP 38Bloc 45That shows a narrowing between the Conservatives and Liberals from last Parliament's standings. Cer > read more

"Back down to normal"

Published on 2011-04-15 16:56:00

This is fascinating, how it all seems to work out for Mr. Harper on these leadership numbers that Nanos is tracking on a daily basis. According to this analysis in the Globe this afternoon, Harper's numbers have fallen about 20 points yet that's term > read more

Guergis on Harper

Published on 2011-04-15 16:13:00

Must see video that deserves to be seen in its entirety, Helena Guergis' press conference today is one of the performances of the campaign so far. While I am not enamoured of those of the Conservative stripe or leanings, you have to give the girl a h > read more

Harper's Quebec damage control today

Published on 2011-04-14 17:29:00

So why was Harper all "people of the regions" today in Quebec? See "Harper woos Quebeckers with pledge to move key federal agency," and "Harper pledges boost to rural economic development," for example. Big stuff. Shuffle a few federal offices off to > read more

Debate ratings up in election no one supposedly wants

Published on 2011-04-14 06:02:00

This could be the biggest story of the past two days, election-wise: "English debate’s viewership gets hefty boost over 2008." See also: "Leaders debate attracts record number of viewers." Ratings monitor BBM Canada said that 3.85 million viewers w > read more

Conservative turmoil in Vaughan

Published on 2011-04-13 18:20:00

A bit of trouble for Conservatives in the city above Toronto: "Conservatives quit over Vaughan health-care money." Two Conservatives have quit their own riding association in Vaughan north of Toronto, accusing incumbent candidate Julian Fantino and t > read more

Harper's G8 Summit spending: the tale of the numbers

Published on 2011-04-13 06:39:00

What follows below is what Parliament saw in relation to the $50 million in G8 Summit spending for Tony Clement's riding. As you will see, it tells us that we cannot trust what the Harper Government puts before Parliament. Here is the series of budge > read more

The body language debate

Published on 2011-04-13 05:42:00

This blog post explains what impression might have been conveyed through the debaters' body language, something we may see reflected in coming days: Try the old silent test: watch any portion of the debate with the sound turned down. Harper looked mi > read more

Post debate post

Published on 2011-04-12 20:29:00

Just a few thoughts off the top here...Harper may be viewed as having pulled off a decent performance. He had his substance down, irrespective of how intensely some of us disagree with it. He did seem exasperated in tone throughout at having to engag > read more

Ditch Harper

Published on 2011-04-12 16:03:00

Couldn't resist that excellent tag line for the blog post title. I support it entirely. > read more

Get your lawn signs up

Published on 2011-04-12 06:30:00

Fun article in the Globe on the social aspects of putting up a lawn sign during a federal election, what people's thought processes are, some reactions there. One of my lines at the door to close the deal, depending on the person and the dynamic, is > read more

An AG report extravaganza on Conservative G8 spending

Published on 2011-04-12 05:46:00

That's The National's report from last night on the G8 funding in Tony Clement's riding that's suddenly become a major issue once again, speaking to pork barreling of the in-it-for-themselves variety and of course, abuse of taxpayer dollars. The repo > read more

G8 spending by Harper Conservatives "may have been illegal"

Published on 2011-04-11 12:06:00

"Tories misled Parliament on G8 spending: AG." The highly reputable and admired Auditor General has drafted a report and it's been leaked on the eve of the debates to Canadian Press: The Harper government misinformed Parliament to win approval for a > read more

Debate week

Published on 2011-04-11 07:00:00

Some thoughts on the debates and all the madness that is about to start swirling around in the Canadian political ether in the next few days...While we will no doubt be treated to clip after clip of the Mulroney knock-out line directed at John Turner > read more

Tracking upwards in Quebec

Published on 2011-04-11 05:27:00

Probably not an accident that these two things have coincided...There was a Nanos tracking poll graph on the CTV website last night showing Liberal numbers tracking up in Quebec over the last four nights, with the surge said to be concentrated in the > read more

Harper's aggressive internet surveillance push

Published on 2011-04-10 17:52:00

That blog title is fair comment given the 100 day time frame (p. 50) Harper wants to put on passage of the "lawful access" internet legislation that would form part of his omnibus crime bill campaign promise. Due to Harper's prorogation of 2009 and t > read more

In it for themselves

Published on 2011-04-10 16:08:00

Terrible optics during an election campaign in this one, the uncovering of a plan to give Tory political staffers pay raises at a time when Harper is about to wield an $11 billion axe: "Tory staffers to gain financially under changes approved by Harp > read more

Guess who is making news again today

Published on 2011-04-08 06:32:00

Does it ever stop? "PM’s former adviser Carson had ties to money launderer." A former adviser to the Prime Minister, now under scrutiny by the RCMP, bought a downtown Ottawa condominium with a former prostitute who was convicted of numerous offence > read more

On the campaign trail in Hamilton

Published on 2011-04-08 05:11:00

Sorry if that's too big, if you have a larger monitor it works well. Smaller version is here. Think that's one of the best rally shots of the campaign thus far, giving a sense of how big the Liberal event last night in Hamilton was, reported to be th > read more

Late night tweet

Published on 2011-04-07 23:48:00

This really was a brilliant tweet that seemed to capture week two: Don't know who that is occupying the tweet voice of the iconic former PM but he or she really nailed it on the Facebook/rally ejection story. (h/t) > read more

Kind of sorry for frogmarching you out of the rallies, Canadians

Published on 2011-04-07 14:56:00

To the young students evicted from Conservative rallies for your political persuasions and with the improper goonish assistance of the RCMP, yesterday Stephen Harper had this callous answer for you:“It’s better when you’re turning people away t > read more

Harper's guy on the Afghan file had no Top Secret clearance

Published on 2011-04-07 06:15:00

More Carson revelations today that go, once again, to the Harper judgment question, big time. Canadian Press has more of an interview with Carson where the topic of what kind of clearance he had, i.e., Secret, is discussed: Brodie said everyone in th > read more

Sachs on corporate tax cuts

Published on 2011-04-07 05:09:00

Here is some more context on the corporate tax cut argument featuring prominently in the federal election campaign. Leading economist Jeffrey Sachs speaks about the "race to the bottom" going on in the G20 with corporate tax cuts and the negative sum > read more

Conservative MP meets intelligent voter at the door (video)

Published on 2011-04-06 22:15:00

Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth of Kitchener Centre runs into trouble at the door. No answers to such obvious questions? Amazing. But then again, what are you going to say? Prorogation twice over in the manner Stephen Harper's done it is tough stuf > read more

Harper's Bruce Carson debacle rolls on

Published on 2011-04-06 06:20:00

What a mess this thing becomes as the days go on. Last night there were conflicting reports on the question of who it was, exactly, who gave top level "Secret" security clearance to Bruce Carson, Harper's former senior adviser. The Chronicle Herald s > read more

Today's headlines

Published on 2011-04-06 05:06:00

The fallout from the Conservatives ejecting students from rallies based on social media vetting is getting attention today, another key moment early in this campaign.Turn the page on Harper and his ‘goons’: Ignatieff.Stephen Harper défend sa cam > read more

Harper originality

Published on 2011-04-05 17:10:00

As the Republicans go, so go the Harper Conservatives... > read more

Harper having a bad day, again

Published on 2011-04-05 15:47:00

(CP)Isn't that the picture of a happy campaigner? No wonder. Having to defend the outrageous tactics occurring on his campaign must be quite taxing. So he's doing his usual buck passing thing: “The staff runs our campaigns and I can’t comment on > read more

Harper: “We will govern on the platform we are elected on”

Published on 2011-04-05 06:46:00

"Majority won’t spur change on abortion or same-sex marriage, Harper says." Really.Stephen Harper is ruling out introducing measures to restrict abortions or eliminate same-sex marriages should he win a majority government.Asked whether he’d make > read more

F-35 hovers over campaign today

Published on 2011-04-05 05:15:00

There's an event in Ottawa today that is not part of the official campaign trail but might get some attention given the centrality of the F-35 debate to this election. Winston Wheeler, a critic of the F-35 program will be speaking in Ottawa: "A Reali > read more

An unbelievable tale from Harper

Published on 2011-04-04 15:48:00

March 24th: Prime Minister Stephen Harper felt personally betrayed after one of his former close advisers got into trouble over allegations of illegal lobbying, according to multiple sources at the most senior levels of government.They say Harper bro > read more

Harper debunked on latest F-35 spin

Published on 2011-04-04 08:00:00

It's hard keeping up with all of Harper's stories but the media are debunking him fairly quickly these days. Here's the latest. Unable to win Canadians over on his F-35 proposed deal due to the incredible price tag and his inability to explain the co > read more

Liberal platform launch

Published on 2011-04-04 06:45:00

A few thoughts on the Liberal platform release yesterday that did a bit of history making with its live online launch. That's a notable innovation in and of itself that can be taken as an indication of openness, accessibility, use of new technology t > read more

Hebert on social media

Published on 2011-04-04 06:00:00

A short end note in Chantal Hebert's column today is worth a look: Un mot en terminant sur l'impact des médias sociaux, et en particulier de Twitter, sur la campagne électorale. De l'intérieur, ils accélérèrent la cadence des échanges entre le > read more

Your local campaign

Published on 2011-04-04 05:25:00

As the campaign gears up in week two, as we hear about decent fundraising at the national level, don't forget that the local campaigns need funding too. So while I am posting this video from Gerard Kennedy, my local candidate, I would encourage every > read more

Harper's latest claim on party financing fact checked

Published on 2011-04-03 05:10:00

On Friday, Harper confirmed once again his longstanding plan to axe Canada's public system of political party financing should he obtain a majority government. As he did so, he justified his position by saying that the subsidies are the reason that C > read more

The chicken crosses the road for many reasons

Published on 2011-04-02 17:02:00

The chicken joke making the rounds in the wake of this week's Harper debate challenge and subsequent backing down: In a press conference in London, Ont., Ignatieff recalled how a 12-year-old boy had asked the night before if he’d like to hear a jok > read more

A twist in Simcoe-Grey?

Published on 2011-04-02 16:10:00

Some speculation from the Mumpsimus Blog: This morning I got a call from a Tory in the wild rose province who said he and possibly several prominent Conservatives in the west planned to help Helena's campaign and raise funds for her. Given their form > read more

Quebec Conservative candidate's troubles are not just about him

Published on 2011-04-02 06:21:00

There was a follow-up report last night on the Conservative candidate in Pierrefonds-Dollard, Agop Evereklian, and the news we learned this week from Canadian Press of the 2005 civil court judgment against him over his bad cheque writing: "Montreal T > read more

A Conservative supporter speaks

Published on 2011-04-01 18:10:00

Tired of hearing Mr. Harper's coalition nonsense.Hard not to agree with Mr. Craddock: "I don't like the negative aspect to what they're doing with the other parties..."(h/t) > read more

Round one

Published on 2011-04-01 17:15:00

Or week one. This will be hitting the news stands of the nation, not bad.Think the Conservatives like that cover? A month to go, it is way, way early but it's hard to deny that this week has been a good one for Liberals. Columns like this one from a > read more

Democracy is hard for some

Published on 2011-03-31 15:45:00

"How many? Harper taking only five questions per day from media." And the media is none too pleased. Stephen Harper is facing questions about his questions.Namely, how many he’s willing to take each day. And he’s refusing to answer.Harper takes o > read more

Harper's bad day in Quebec

Published on 2011-03-31 07:33:00

Hard to keep up with all the scandal swirling around the Conservatives these days...but there's more! Seems they have a gem of a candidate in Pierrefonds-Dollard, who appeared at a rally by Harper's side last night. To the court records! In copious d > read more

Great moments in photo ops

Published on 2011-03-31 06:53:00

They're just spontaneously glancing at a magazine that has himself on the cover. From this event. Wonder how many takes it took to get the front cover positioned just right. > read more

On the campaign trail in Winnipeg

Published on 2011-03-31 05:30:00

A photo of the Ignatieff Liberal event in Winnipeg last night courtesy of Laurie Graham with this caption: "Crowd in #winnipeg well into the hundreds...700-800...?? Hard to tell but it's big #cv11"Here's the take of a columnist who attended the event > read more

Harper in Newfoundland today

Published on 2011-03-31 05:06:00

Here is something to watch. How far he goes with his photo-op/announcement in respect of the $6.2 billion Lower Churchill hydro development for which the Newfoundland government is seeking a loan guarantee. CBC reported this yesterday: Wednesday afte > read more

Mercer on voting

Published on 2011-03-30 23:08:00

Encouraging the youth vote. Yes. > read more

Harper-Ignatieff debate

Published on 2011-03-30 15:32:00

Update (11:55 p.m.) below.Here's the door opened by Harper today on a one-on-one debate with Michael Ignatieff: "We're open to any number of possibilities. We could have a traditional debate of Parliamentary leaders, we could have a debate that inclu > read more

Harper furious and other campaign notes

Published on 2011-03-30 06:51:00

1. I second BCL on this one. Particularly in the wake of Bob Fife's report on CTV last night since the Harper people seemed to feel the need to put the word out that Harper is "furious" that Sebastien Togneri, the former Conservative political staffe > read more

Harper then and now on costing of legislation

Published on 2011-03-30 05:46:00

Stephen Harper, the 1996 version, was a big supporter of full, transparent cost disclosures to Parliament. Here's a timely look back at some mammoth hypocrisy from Mr. Harper given current Conservative non-disclosure of major program costing to Canad > read more

Passports are good things

Published on 2011-03-29 18:04:00

A brief point on the Liberal Learning Passport that was announced today. Others have already blogged about its retail political upside and how the Conservatives have no credibility on budgeting given their billions in jets, jails, etc. So, one more h > read more

Conservative contempt rolls on

Published on 2011-03-29 15:24:00

This may seem like a small item to some voters but it speaks to the larger Conservative attitude under Stephen Harper toward respect for the laws of this country: "Conservative staffer under RCMP probe gone from key electoral campaign." Remarkable st > read more

Divider or unifier?

Published on 2011-03-28 20:30:00

Another contrast taking root between Harper and Ignatieff in the campaign was on display today.Here's Ignatieff: “The word ethnic vote, spare us,” Mr. Ignatieff said at a press conference Monday at the Fairmont Royal York in downtown Toronto. “ > read more

The twisted logic of the Bloc

Published on 2011-03-28 15:35:00

Andre Pratte gives the Bloc a tweak following Ignatieff's appearance there on Sunday: Le second volet de la thèse bloquiste, c'est que «le seul parti capable de barrer la route au Parti conservateur, c'est le Bloc québécois». Il n'en est rien. S > read more

GTA Liberal campaign kick-off rally tonight

Published on 2011-03-28 07:08:00

The details: Event InformationCome join Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to kick off the 2011 campaign in the GTA. The rally will be held at the Payal Banquet Hall, at 3410 Semenyk Court in Mississauga on Monday, March 28th at 6:00pm.There is an RSVP > read more

Mr. Harper's strategery

Published on 2011-03-28 05:30:00

Interesting item in the Globe late last night: "‘Reckless coalition’ strategy is Harper’s own." I'm not sure why someone would be telling the Globe that Harper's coalition fear mongering is at the doorstep of Mr. Harper and Mr. Harper alone. We > read more

On the campaign trail

Published on 2011-03-27 21:15:00

Just time to throw a quick post up here on some items people might be interested in. This, for starters, is a great video. An excerpt from yesterday's campaign kick-off. The caricatured Ignatieff is just so far from the truth that Canadians will now > read more

Harper on defensive about coalition talk

Published on 2011-03-27 16:02:00

Update (5:35 p.m.) below. Courtesy of Aaron Wherry (and getting some attention now in the Globe) comes another key statement in the campaign to note. Michael Ignatieff, speaking to reporters, cuts to the heart of the matter on all this coalition nons > read more

Some follow-up on Harper's Rideau speech yesterday

Published on 2011-03-27 07:30:00

Two points arising out of it...First, this line from Harper's speech out in front of Rideau Hall yesterday was highlighted on the national news last night and is worth some attention:To my fellow Canadians I say this: The opposition parties have made > read more

Propaganda Nation

Published on 2011-03-27 05:54:00

Helene Buzzetti noted the creation of a "Facebook conservateur" last night. Tory Nation they call it, which is apparently an online operation to encourage people to spread Conservative talking points about the election being all about the economy. It > read more

Political PSA

Published on 2011-03-27 04:51:00

An incident in Britain this week is a little reminder of the Gordon Brown gaffe from last year's UK election. Watch those microphones! That is going to haunt Clegg.This PSA does not, however, apply to Conservative candidates during our election. They > read more

Harper on contempt

Published on 2011-03-26 20:15:00

Turn it up, audio is not the greatest. But you get the key statement, Mr. Harper's continued disrespect for Parliament and democracy on display. The Canadian public don't care about "maneuvers in Parliament and the wording of various motions." Doesn' > read more

Day 1: Lonely guy vs Surprising guy

Published on 2011-03-26 18:12:00

Some impressions of day one...Lonely guy kicks things off all by himself:With a tight camera angle on him as he gave the speech, to anyone watching on CPAC. Nice red tie though. And garners this reaction: Harper was off his game today. He fumbled on > read more

Coalition clarification

Published on 2011-03-26 13:43:00

Well that didn't take long, a statement today clarifies the exact position of Liberals on future parliamentary intentions, following yesterday's events: Whoever leads the party that wins the most seats on election day should be called on to form the > read more

What don't the Conservatives get about democracy?

Published on 2011-03-26 05:10:00

They have a hard time dealing with it, so we learn day in and day out.We have just had a historic day, a contempt vote for the Harper government was expressed by a majority in the House of Commons. Because they don't respect Parliament, they don't re > read more

A good day: The Harper Government has fallen

Published on 2011-03-25 18:34:00

Let the campaign begin! Today, the House of Commons moved non-confidence in the government on the basis of contempt: The federal Conservative government has been brought down on a historic vote in Parliament, setting the stage for a May election.MPs > read more

What is Harper Government worthy and what is not

Published on 2011-03-25 07:00:00

Can you see the difference? Patterns are emerging from the government announcements.Harper Government Celebrates Economic Action Plan Investments in Canada's Knowledge Economy.Harper Government's Abolition of Early Parole Act receives Royal Assent.Ha > read more

Harper buck-passing on Carson allegations

Published on 2011-03-25 05:26:00

The Harper public relations firm sprang into action yesterday on the Bruce Carson illegal lobbying allegations: "Harper felt betrayed after ex-PMO aide tied to lobbying allegations: sources." A "high-level Conservative" is dishing on the PM's feeling > read more

Late night Mercer

Published on 2011-03-24 22:20:00

At the risk of jumping the shark in posting Mercer's rants...here's one more, likely the last for a while given that election thing being imminent. Don't know if he'll be doing them during the campaign or not, wouldn't think so but who knows. Rant ti > read more

Fantino of the many pensions, his message to seniors & some senior budget reaction

Published on 2011-03-24 18:08:00

Some background on Fantino's pension situation: Fantino could not be in a more different position from the average senior in Canada. Fantino’s pension, based on back of the envelope math, is worth almost $120,000 per year. Consider:After five years > read more

The Harper Government™ is all about who you know, not who you are

Published on 2011-03-24 16:52:00

Let's recall once again what the PM tells the nation in one of his recent ads: "We're lucky to live in Canada, a land where merit means more than privilege, where who you are matters more than who you know or where you came from." Harper's words are > read more

Late night cartoon

Published on 2011-03-23 22:28:00

Especially for Mr. Fantino in honour of his remarks today: "Government does all it can do for seniors: Fantino." Priorities, priorities... > read more

Harper's big risk

Published on 2011-03-23 17:59:00

This non-confidence motion will be moved by the Liberals on Friday: That the House agrees with the finding of the standing committee on procedure and House affairs that the government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian p > read more

Questions on Bruce Carson

Published on 2011-03-22 21:26:00

From a columnist at the Edmonton Journal, this was an excellent column on the Carson allegations that asks a number of key questions and deserves to be widely read (h/t): Let's start with two questions.How did Bruce Carson, 66, come to be appointed a > read more

The budget and its fallout

Published on 2011-03-22 17:03:00

A few quick thoughts off the top about the budget and the surrounding politics that now see us on the brink of an election campaign...We have been witnessing an onslaught from the Harper government in terms of a virtual campaign since at least Januar > read more

Contempt: The view from abroad

Published on 2011-03-22 05:43:00

OK, well, abroad as in AP's report as prominently displayed on the Americas page of the New York Times anyway: "Canada’s Harper Faces Contempt Charge and Possible Election." After briefly handicapping a possible election outcome, it goes on: Mr. Ha > read more

Late night Spring greetings

Published on 2011-03-22 00:14:00

Ushering in the new season, belatedly. Courtesy of artist Theo Nelson who likes to ring them in by sharing his art with bloggers and others. Yes, plant a lot of those thoughts! > read more

Carson allegations widen

Published on 2011-03-21 17:40:00

Another report drops from APTN today on Harper's top former senior adviser Bruce Carson and his efforts in meeting with various government departments to obtain water contracts for the Ottawa water company that employed his fiancé and who would see > read more

Harper on Libya

Published on 2011-03-21 07:46:00

Posting this report from the National last night for the very interesting discussion at about the 7:40 mark and following where Brian Stewart analyzes Harper's comments from Saturday about the objective of the mission. Here's a quote from Harper whic > read more

Infrastructure leadership

Published on 2011-03-21 05:54:00

A few shocking reads in modern day Canada, apparently one of the largest and most commercially significant bridges in Montreal, the Champlain Bridge, is in risk of partial collapse. From the Gazette: La Presse this week obtained two federally mandate > read more

Big blunder

Published on 2011-03-20 15:40:00

Updated below.The Harper party's attack on Ignatieff's family is getting some attention this afternoon. He said the Tories’ targeting of his character and family is unparalleled in this country. “These personal attacks are unprecedented in the hi > read more

Operation Distance Harper from former Harper senior adviser Bruce Carson

Published on 2011-03-19 17:49:00

Harper today was remarkably all about his former senior adviser Bruce Carson being a private citizen:Harper said Saturday that, "Mr. Carson is now a private citizen and his actions relate to his activities as a private citizen." Further, he wants to > read more

Harper Government open door policy for PM's former adviser Carson

Published on 2011-03-18 20:28:00

"Former PMO aide accused of lobbying for girlfriend had four meetings with feds." All this and not even registered as a lobbyist, no questions from the Harper folk: A former top adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper used his connections to meet fo > read more

The Liberal ad the Conservatives are afraid of

Published on 2011-03-18 19:47:00

The ruthless Conservative attack artists who don't know when to stop are at it tonight, attacking Ignatieff's father via reporters on Twitter and via heavily and questionably researched talking points on Ignatieff's family history. My, the frat boys > read more

In & out scandal: "the evidence is substantial"

Published on 2011-03-18 18:04:00

Notes from the Crown prosecutor today on the case worth taking into account: "The evidence is substantial," Richard Roy, the prosecuting attorney for the public prosecutor, told reporters Friday."The database generally is about maybe 27,000 documents > read more

Ethical tailspin follow-up & other notes

Published on 2011-03-18 08:15:00

A few more points touching on the Bruce Carson allegations that are developing, about the improper lobbying of Indian Affairs for water contracts on behalf of a company that employed Carson's girlfriend. In this Star report, there is a suggestion th > read more

The Libya mission and fighter jet politics

Published on 2011-03-18 05:12:00

In covering the Libya no-fly zone story, the Globe gives the Harper government a boost on the F-35s: The Libyan assignment gives the Harper government a chance to demonstrate why Canada needs top-notch fighter jets. The Tories are under fire for comm > read more

Ethical tailspin time for the Harper Government

Published on 2011-03-17 20:23:00

I don't think anyone can fairly minimize the relationship between the Prime Minister and his former adviser, Bruce Carson, based on all the publicly available material, more on that below. The APTN reporting that is dominating Ottawa at the moment, a > read more

Mercer on "The Harper Government"

Published on 2011-03-16 19:03:00

Mercer hits another one out of the park. > read more

Time to fight back against the Harper regime

Published on 2011-03-16 14:54:00

It's always that time around here! > read more

One of these economists is not like the others

Published on 2011-03-16 06:59:00

A bit of a follow-up here to last night's excitement wherein Stephen Harper, Economist™, concern trolled to the nation that uh uh, this is not the time for an "opportunistic" election given the Japanese earthquake. Let's look into what economists a > read more

Purple files lead to RCMP investigations & open government opportunities

Published on 2011-03-16 05:33:00

Canadian Press had more last night on the "purple file" system set up under the Harper government "...to alert the ministers to potentially embarrassing requests made under the Access to Information Act. At Public Works, that alert function had morph > read more

The extra 2 percent

Published on 2011-03-15 23:44:00

Late night food for thought:Q. A decade ago, Major League Baseball was still pretty hostile to basic economic thinking, like the idea that teams should use data to find undervalued players. But the success of the low-budget Oakland A’s and Michael > read more

"No humanity, no soul"

Published on 2011-03-15 18:40:00

Those words come today from a Conservative candidate exiting the scene of an oncoming federal election, more on that below. They might also speak to Mr. Harper's performance this afternoon, weaving into his response to a reporter on the Japan situati > read more

RCMP probe into Conservative staffer's access to information interference

Published on 2011-03-14 19:17:00

More of the anti-democratic narrative developing today: "Mounties to investigate Conservative staffer over political interference." The Harper government, with no choice, is acting on the Information Commissioner's advice to call in the RCMP to inves > read more

At breakfast time or any time

Published on 2011-03-14 07:28:00

Breakfast of champions for those fighting the democratic deficit.A witty response to the title of the Conservatives' latest junk site that can be read as "Ignatieff Selection" as well (no need to click on that link, by the way). Hats off to clever bl > read more

Poor moments in Canadian nuclear oversight

Published on 2011-03-14 06:03:00

Events in Japan are inevitably going to lead us to review our own nuclear facilities in Canada and the discussion is already beginning: "Fears of nuclear meltdown in Japan puts Canada's industry under scrutiny." How that discussion might develop, it' > read more

Cockroach ideas

Published on 2011-03-14 04:55:00

From respected economist Mark Thoma: One cockroach I thought had been wiped out by "facticide" is that tax cuts pay for themselves. But that turned out to be wrong. Prior to the recent Congressional elections this claim was still made by many politic > read more

Japan earthquake appeal

Published on 2011-03-13 16:24:00

The Humanitarian Coalition is putting out a call for Canadians to support the relief efforts in Japan.As you already know, an earthquake of epic proportions struck Japan on Friday and triggered a tsunami causing widespread destruction and death. Doze > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-03-11 19:51:00

I go with Lykke Li to start...you can listen to her new album on SoundCloud. A review of Wounded Rhymes from Rolling Stone: Ever since Abba went global, Sweden has been a pop paradise, a factory of mathematically perfect hooks. Lykke Li is a differen > read more

A happy coincidence

Published on 2011-03-11 17:27:00

Lilley writes a column for Friday: "We can't even kick out the terrorists." On border security and with the MV Sun Sea, the human smuggling ship and event from this past summer figuring prominently.The Conservative Party of Canada launches a negative > read more

A re-write on Harper's NHL comments today

Published on 2011-03-10 18:17:00

A re-write to re-focus the Prime Minister's concerns in the direction where his attention and solemn concerns today should have been instead: Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he is concerned about the growing number of serious injuries in the NHL t > read more

Your daily "in & out": don't forget the hoosegow

Published on 2011-03-10 07:18:00

Yes, the Globe's editorial on the in and out scandal yesterday was subpar: Re Electoral Regime Change (March 9): Your editorial utterly plays down the seriousness of the charges facing senior Conservatives.In 2008, the RCMP raided Conservative headqu > read more

Corporate tax cut issue getting worse for Conservatives

Published on 2011-03-10 05:39:00

For at least the second time in the last month or so, a poll has come in showing that the public is agreeing with the view that corporate tax cuts should be put to a halt. But even the Liberals can take heart that their demand the government back awa > read more

Late night Harperland

Published on 2011-03-09 23:17:00

(Source)There was more reporting earlier tonight on the "Harper Government" phenomenon that underscores how that usage is particular to this government despite the typical bleating that everybody does it. Days of digging by Conservative researchers h > read more

Harper Government breach of privilege extravaganza

Published on 2011-03-09 17:04:00

Busy day of contempt rulings by the Speaker and the above ad just making the rounds seems quite appropriate. The government is in breach of privilege for not turning over detailed cost estimates for its anti-crime agenda, and one of its ministers may > read more

The "in & out" House of Commons motion passes

Published on 2011-03-09 06:15:00

The following motion on the Conservative "in and out" election scheme of 2006 passed in the House of Commons last night by a vote of 152-139: That, in the opinion of the House, the Conservative Party of Canada's "in and out" electoral financing schem > read more

Jason Kenney's very politicized Immigration Ministry part II

Published on 2011-03-08 18:22:00

Seen today, and now picked up by Canadian Press, a Minister's award bestowed by Jason Kenney on a restaurant that is emblazoned with a large Conservative Party of Canada watermark: The restaurant's website carries a copy of the award. The award prese > read more

Right wing advocates clawing at the Canada Health Act

Published on 2011-03-08 17:02:00

"Give the Canada Health Act a Sunset Clause." Canadians would be better served if the CHA were automatically scheduled for review every five years. Such "sunset clauses" are in fact quite common; for instance, Ottawa's laws on financial regulation -s > read more

A tale of two headlines

Published on 2011-03-08 08:30:00

For the identical story, these two headlines appear today.Globe: "Tories sidestep semantic row over use of ‘Harper Government’ on federal documents." Makes the story sound as if the government has successfully sidestepped this one, the issue is o > read more

Jason Kenney's very politicized Immigration Ministry

Published on 2011-03-08 07:32:00

A review here of some of the more recent issues with Kenney's mixing of partisan matters with his duties as Minister of Immigration. As well, one older item, below, that may be more relevant now as we live through the present day controversy of his o > read more

International Women's Day 2011

Published on 2011-03-08 05:41:00

I would add a Canadian government video but, well, you know how it is these days.TGB has a good one too. Wherever you are today...you go girls! > read more

In & out scandal: Getting a leg up to the tune of $800,000

Published on 2011-03-07 17:33:00

In addition to the four senior Conservative party officials facing Elections Act charges for the in and out scandal, including two Conservative Senators, and the overspending by the national party in the 2006 election of $1.3 million...there's anothe > read more

Simple answers to not so bright questions

Published on 2011-03-07 07:01:00

Is Jim Flaherty the first great Conservative finance minister?Uh, no. And Ibbitson buries the lead. What would constitute a great Finance Minister then? Let's get some inspiration from the present occupant...Someone who doesn't bash the provinces. So > read more

When Conservatives attack: Laurie Hawn F-35 version

Published on 2011-03-07 05:27:00

There's another fine example today of the Conservative attack-the-critic tactic being reported. Conservative MP Laurie Hawn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Defence Minister, is sending out emails on the proposed F-35 purchase that not only promote th > read more

Mulroney's Federal Identity Program

Published on 2011-03-06 16:44:00

How far these Conservatives have come.See the video below where Conservative MP Andrew Saxton stands up Friday in the House of Commons and defends the use of the "Harper Government" in place of the Government of Canada. He says it has been a long sta > read more

Kenney's ethnic media strategy comes from a place of weakness

Published on 2011-03-05 06:54:00

With all the justifiable hullabaloo over Jason Kenney and his improper fundraising letter, sent out of his ministerial office to raise money for a Conservative party ethnic media strategy, it's worth checking in on how he's actually doing on this fil > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-03-04 21:46:00

Back to the progressive house this week. A remix of one of Toronto DJ Adam K's recent songs, above, released a few days ago. New Four Tet as well! Have a good night. > read more

The "Harper Government" chronicles roll on

Published on 2011-03-04 18:36:00

Friday fun! Such great moments in Prime Ministerial ego should not be permitted to pass without recognition. Of course he did this! ...a directive went out to public servants late last year that "Government of Canada" in federal communications should > read more

Kenney's ethnic media strategy: "They live where we need to win"

Published on 2011-03-04 07:07:00

Jason Kenney and his office stepped up as the new Harper government poster children of electoral zeal yesterday. Whatever it takes seems to be the motto for advancement of their partisan self-interest...until they get caught that is: A member of Immi > read more

The "In and Out" Scandal: the "lust to win at any cost and at any price"

Published on 2011-03-03 06:05:00

Harper had this to say yesterday in the House of Commons when pressed on the Federal Court of Appeal decision that the Conservatives had wrongly overspent by $1.3 million in the 2006 election: "Our party and our candidates acted in good faith." Harpe > read more

One of Harper's latest Elections Canada lines

Published on 2011-03-02 18:08:00

Update (7:15 p.m.) below.This new line from Harper, peddled again today as damage control over his party's loss at the Federal Court of Appeal and the pending Elections Act charges, that "he fully respects Elections Canada's interpretation of the rul > read more

The week in Quebecor

Published on 2011-03-02 06:16:00

Saturday, see the settlement of a two year strike at le Journal de Montreal where 253 employees were locked-out by Quebecor. The agreement sees only 62 of the employees returning to work and is widely viewed as a defeat for the workers.By Monday, see > read more

How the right wing echo chamber is working these days

Published on 2011-03-02 04:54:00

An example from the past day...an academic with military friendly credentials is quoted in a news report stating that the Libya situation, as fluid as it is, might prove to be a ground in which Canada's CF-18s play a role. He's the only one saying so > read more

Conservatives lose the "in and out" case at Federal Court of Appeal

Published on 2011-03-01 18:33:00

A very bad day for the law and order Harper Conservatives no matter what they're trying to sell us. Their 2006 election play where they used the in and out tactic to move moneys in and out of local ridings in order to finance a big national advertisi > read more

'Voluminous' evidence & court appearances ahead for Conservatives

Published on 2011-03-01 05:39:00

A bit of a morning check in on the "in and out" developments worth noting. The Hill Times interviewed the Public Prosecution Service, no doubt in order to clarify the herculean Conservative effort to characterize the Elections Act charges against the > read more

Libya, CF-18s and F-35s

Published on 2011-02-28 22:01:00

Updated below. Canadian Press has a report tonight about a possible military build up in connection with Libya that Canada might be somehow involved in although it's not clear what's going to happen and how we might be involved if at all. The report > read more

Elections Act charges make Pierre Poilievre a very shy parliamentarian

Published on 2011-02-28 16:20:00

Be very, very quiet about the Elections Act charges. Do not get heated in responding to opposition questions. Do not inflame the very delicate situation that finds the Conservative party embroiled in a situation where a number of its 2006 election ca > read more

Sunday is cover off the environment PR blitz day

Published on 2011-02-27 17:38:00

Hard to keep up with the very busy public relations and campaign firm of Harper & Associates, but this is what they were up to on Sunday: "Harper Government Invests in Clean Energy." They be all about the clean energy today. It's election season > read more

Annals of shocking columns

Published on 2011-02-27 06:42:00

Updated (5:50 p.m.) below.The sun rose in the east today. Here's another predictable Sunday touchstone. Persichilli writes about...guess! Yeah, you got it, his regular drumbeat which doesn't even need to be articulated at this point. Dion's leaders > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-02-25 21:38:00

Sorry for lack of posting today. I blame the Twitter vortex. This group, Wye Oak, is attracting a bit of attention and they are talented indie rockers. Here's NPR on the group and "Civilian," the song above: There are so many adjectives worth applyin > read more

Black out worthy?

Published on 2011-02-24 17:50:00

There is nothing too small for the black pen of the Harper government: The government website's partisan and personal promotion of Harper became an issue in the autumn of 2009, when The Canadian Press reported that the site was plastered with literal > read more

Some job numbers perspective on economic PR blitz day

Published on 2011-02-24 06:46:00

Today is Conservative economic pr blitz day: "More than 70 Conservative MPs, ministers, and senators will fan out across the country Thursday to push the virtues of their so-called Economic Action Plan." The Harper government that claims not to want > read more

We call him "Loose" Cannon for good reason: part II

Published on 2011-02-24 05:21:00

Canadian Press reported this yesterday: Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper's oft-repeated support for freedom, human rights and the rule of law abroad, his Conservative cabinet rejected a proposal in the fall to create a Canadian centre for promot > read more

Mercer on Harper and the truth

Published on 2011-02-23 20:33:00

> read more

Canada helps the Wisconsin debate

Published on 2011-02-23 05:23:00

Economics professor Stephen Williamson provides this comparative perspective on U.S. and Canadian public sector unions and their impact on government spending:In general, union organization is not an easy thing in the United States, relative to what > read more

Superstar: an awfully high bar to set

Published on 2011-02-22 18:26:00

Paging Feschuk, there's more toadying going on: "‘Superstar’ status in global economic poll strengthens Harper’s hand." "Superstar," my. That's quite a headline. Having Mary Katherine Gallagher flashbacks. Look at the lede too, the opposition m > read more

Stephen Harper Hard At Work - Director's Cut

Published on 2011-02-22 16:05:00

> read more

Monday in Conservative election machinations

Published on 2011-02-22 05:06:00

So let's check in on what the Harper Conservatives were up to on Monday given that the PM supposedly does not want an "opportunistic election" (as of Friday anyway). The Prime Minister was out striking a rather contradictory pose in light of the abov > read more

Late night Oda

Published on 2011-02-21 23:05:00

"Very funny, guys. But this is NOT the way to keep the issue out of the news this week."(Source for this wonderfully spontaneous & photo-shoppable moment )Is there really any possibility of this occurring in Harperland? The second decision is Oda > read more

Lakoff, Krugman on Wisconsin

Published on 2011-02-21 06:52:00

Worth a read today in its entirety, here is the beginning of Lakoff's weekend piece on Conservatives and what is at stake in the Wisconsin conflict: --Dedicated to the peaceful protestors in Wisconsin, February 19, 2011.The central issue in our polit > read more

We call him "Loose" Cannon for good reason

Published on 2011-02-20 15:53:00

Cannon at work in the Arctic, spring 2010.Canadian Press has done some...research! Yes! On the funny incident in the Arctic in the spring when Cannon seemed to go off on the Russians in a highly dramatic fashion. The Russians, you see, were planning > read more

Goodbye to a friend

Published on 2011-02-20 05:02:00

Not the usual political entry this morning, something more personal instead. As many bloggers out there in the Canadian political blogosphere know, one of our friends died recently. We learned of it about a week and a half ago from another of our fri > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-02-18 20:20:00

Well this is an easy one this week...brand new Radiohead:Yes. Have a good night. > read more

Word of the day

Published on 2011-02-18 18:55:00

Or should we say drink of the day? Courtesy of the much ballyhooed Harper/Layton meeting this afternoon. (Source)Which meeting may mean something or nothing, depending on the weeks ahead and various significant issues.Ivison: The talks between the tw > read more

The social media & backbones, etc.

Published on 2011-02-18 07:22:00

Chantal Hebert has a challenging column that's worth a read today: "In defending Oda, Harper stands alone." It's indicting of Harper's democratic stance and how it's being amplified now by the Oda affair. She thinks it's worth an election and steps t > read more

So how's that cybersecurity effort going, Mr. Toews?

Published on 2011-02-18 05:33:59

That picture is from Vic Toews' Sunday afternoon cybersecurity public relations event back on October 3, 2010. Remember that? The cybersecurity issue is so important to this government, it warranted a sleepy Sunday afternoon press conference. Rather > read more

Sign the Oda petition, send a message to Mr. Harper

Published on 2011-02-17 16:54:31

What can you do to give this a push? Sign the petition here.Stephen Harper is standing by Bev Oda once again today, while in Toronto, vacating himself from the uncomfortable House of Commons. He's predictably sticking to the nonsensical line that Oda > read more

Costs of F-35 PR campaign roll in

Published on 2011-02-17 07:08:03

David Pugliese has another piece on the F-35 issue today, detailing some of the costs thus far for the government's F-35 public relations campaign. Overtime for Defence public servants in Ottawa, travel costs, etc. for the cross-country tour point to > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-02-16 22:59:00

Just checking in on our friend, making its way around the Montreal area...pucapab, a very appropriate sentiment tonight. > read more

Kenney: "The CBC lies all the time."

Published on 2011-02-16 16:52:00

When backed into a corner, the last few days on the Bev Oda implosion, the Harper crew flash their true colours: Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Wednesday that Ms. Oda has apologized. When pressed by The Canadian Press on whether that was enou > read more

Odd Globe editorial on Oda

Published on 2011-02-16 07:36:00

Here: "Bev Oda’s serious transgression." It's a weak call for Oda to sit down with the Foreign Affairs Committee, explain her actions and apologize. Essentially the Globe suggesting a light punishment for Oda's conduct here in order to make it go a > read more

Media skirmish watch

Published on 2011-02-16 06:08:00

This item appeared in the Toronto Sun Monday night: "Former reporter, Liberal to head CTV News Channel." A former high-ranking Liberal with a long career in television has been appointed to run CTV News Channel.Jack Fleischmann, a former reporter who > read more

Ethically challenged

Published on 2011-02-15 18:56:00

It's the Prime Ministerial judgment, stupid: The Speaker: ORAL QUESTIONS. (Voice of Translator): THE HONOURABLE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. MICHAEL IGNATIEFF, LEADER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY: Mr. SPEAKER, THE MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CUT FUND > read more

Bev, Bev, Bev

Published on 2011-02-14 17:45:00

Today in the House of Commons, International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda made quite an admission: International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda has admitted that she ordered a document to be altered to deny funding to the church-backed aid group Karo > read more

More fun with polls: Ontario version

Published on 2011-02-14 07:03:00

A Nanos poll features quite prominently in the Globe today: "Poll finds Ontarians turning against McGuinty." So let's check the track record from Nanos polls during the 2007 Ontario election held on October 10th of that year...Two polls close to the > read more

Pollsters advising us to be wary of polls

Published on 2011-02-13 18:17:00

This Canadian Press report today on polling and the abundance of polls that are littering the Canadian political landscape these days provides some welcome perspective: "Pollsters advise voters to be wary of polls ahead of possible spring vote!" A mu > read more

Carville: "It's going to be every time"

Published on 2011-02-12 19:00:00

Posting this in the wake of that Ekos poll that might have some nervous Nellies spooked. It's just for the first 3 minutes or so, the Carville speech. It's a brief bit about vile attacks that seek to knock off political leaders, to undermine their vi > read more

New story line for the census

Published on 2011-02-12 06:36:00

The new census story line is being rolled out for us: "Chief statistician asked to rethink census for 2016." Mr. Smith, who took over from embattled chief statistician Munir Sheikh last summer and was appointed permanently in January, has been asked > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-02-11 20:31:00

New Swedish band MF/MB. "This is the sound of a band that is hungry and ready to kick down the door to your soul." Ok, then!Have a good night. > read more

The politics of intimidation, again

Published on 2011-02-11 16:20:00

This post is just to show a bit of solidarity today with University of Ottawa Professors Attaran and Mendes who, as reported here, have become the subject of "unusually massive freedom-of-information requests:" "Tories accused of digging up dirt on > read more

Criminal justice information free-for-all

Published on 2011-02-11 06:10:00

There may be an effort going on in the lead-up to a possible spring election to bolster the Conservative thesis that the crime rate in Canada is going up. That thesis underpins their very expensive law and order agenda and it is wrong. It has been ch > read more

Common sense 149 - Conservatives 134

Published on 2011-02-09 18:00:00

A House of Commons motion passes this afternooon, one of many, but perhaps the most high profile and politically significant in coming months: Opposition parties have joined forces to demand that the Harper government reverse tax cuts for the largest > read more

Somebody's sensitive on the corporate tax cuts

Published on 2011-02-09 15:55:00

Updated (11:20 p.m.) below. An interesting exchange occurred in the House of Commons today where the Prime Minister stood to answer Liberal MP Scott Brison. What a rare honour for Mr. Brison. The corporate tax cuts issue was the cause of the Prime Mi > read more

On piping down

Published on 2011-02-09 06:45:00

This is a Globe editorial worth challenging today: "Who’s afraid of perimeter security?" There is little or no basis for alarm that the perimeter-security agreement being negotiated between the United States and Canada would put grave limitations o > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-02-08 22:54:00

The viral campaign at the gates late today... > read more

Our new Canadian digs in Boston

Published on 2011-02-08 21:32:00

Our recent real estate buy has caused a minor sensation in the Boston area. The house was purchased in the Crown's name leading to some excitement about the possibility of the Queen buying a house in the area. But alas, it's just Pat Binns, our Consu > read more

The predictable early poll on the perimeter deal rolls in

Published on 2011-02-08 18:25:00

Amazingly, we have a poll on our hands, already, on the perimeter deal: "Poll suggests Canadians overwhelmingly favour integrated border with U.S." The poll includes the obligatory technical details: Each week, Harris/Decima interviews just over 1000 > read more

Reading the tea leaves

Published on 2011-02-08 07:00:00

Lots of moves going on in Ottawa on the appointments front. It's almost as if some major political event might be occurring in the near future that might lead a government to ensure it puts its stamp on some fairly significant government positions. J > read more

Trust and the perimeter deal

Published on 2011-02-08 05:03:00

As Aaron Wherry pointed out in his take on yesterday's Question Period, in which a number of questions focussed on the Harper government's proposed perimeter deal with the U.S., a number of Harper ministers and Harper himself were quite recently publ > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-02-07 21:48:00

It's everywhere! > read more

Better disclosure on the F-35 advocacy required

Published on 2011-02-07 17:03:00

Courtesy of the Sixth Estate blog, we discover there was some additional information missing from that now infamous Ottawa Citizen op-ed a few weeks ago, "The truth about those jets," the one written by two retired former military officers, General P > read more

Today in Quebec political strategy

Published on 2011-02-07 07:03:00

Liberals and Conservatives are engaging the Quebec electorate in very different ways at the moment.There's exhibit A, the Liberal release of a social networking video meant to stimulate a cri de coeur among Quebecers about having had enough with Step > read more

Border deal is about Canadian sovereignty

Published on 2011-02-07 05:36:00

On Friday, the PM attended at the White House for his meeting with President Obama on a proposed border deal that involves border management, security issues, trade and supposedly a host of regulatory issues. We don't know the extent of this deal, th > read more

Your Superbowl winner

Published on 2011-02-06 16:59:00

The manatee with the more reliable predictive track record has chosen the Packers. There you go. Place your last minute bets. > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-02-04 21:04:00

"Satellite" is the first single from The Kills forthcoming album "Blood Pressures" (out April 4th in UK and April 5th in US).The back story, if you're interested is about a dropped call with Kate Moss. Inspirational, apparently!Have a good night. > read more

Friday news dump, part II

Published on 2011-02-04 20:02:00

A new Vice-Chair was appointed to the CRTC today and questions are being raised about the appropriateness of the appointment and partisan ties to the Prime Minister's spokesman. This report outrightly frames Pentefountas as an ally of the government, > read more

A Friday news dump: Elliott's departure from RCMP

Published on 2011-02-04 18:16:00

Well this is not exactly a surprise but it is a significant moment: "RCMP boss to step down." William Elliott, Harper's hand-picked civilian choice to run the RCMP has announced he is stepping down in "the summer of 2011." This has been a tenure mark > read more

Egypt and the Harper U.S. visit

Published on 2011-02-04 06:44:00

This video from Associated Press seems to show a positive change in Cairo early Friday but we'll see how the day proceeds:A few good reads...The latest on the Obama administration's efforts on a plan for Mubarak's exit.Nick Kristof has insight from T > read more

The stealth deal

Published on 2011-02-03 19:18:00

Just what will be in the proposed perimeter security deal, or whatever they're calling it, as Harper meets with Obama in Washington tomorrow is worth watching. There were two items over the past 24 hours that were eye-catching.Michael Ignatieff chara > read more

The Egypt debate

Published on 2011-02-03 05:58:00

Last night the emergency debate on the situation in Egypt took place in the House of Commons. As events in Egypt took a turn for the worse yesterday, the timing was right on. Bob Rae deserves credit for having initiated the debate. It allowed for a f > read more

Following the continued hard sell on the F-35

Published on 2011-02-02 18:54:00

A few items here, first a follow-up on a pro-F-35 op-ed that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen last week, "The truth about those jets," written by two former military personnel, including a General Paul Manson. The op-ed was a top-ten styled list of my > read more

Flaherty with more of that macro-economic thing they do

Published on 2011-02-02 06:23:00

Shocking press release from the "Harper Government" yesterday: "Harper Government's Economic Projections on Track." This characterization of their economic projections comes from a survey of private sector forecasters undertaken in December and relea > read more

Foto of the day

Published on 2011-02-02 05:07:00

"Tell me again about this power of "discretion" you think you have."An evocative moment between the Governor General and the PM taken on the day of the most recent cabinet shuffle. A bit of humour to start this very snowy day... > read more

No confidence sideshow

Published on 2011-02-01 05:49:00

This was an interesting pledge from the PMO yesterday that bears a quick look:The Conservatives insist they don’t want an election and won’t force one, and as a gesture of good faith promised that no bills that come up for a vote in this session > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-01-31 22:31:00

Cool timelapsed video of the Halifax skating oval on January 21st, 2011. Quite the crowds they're attracting. The oval has been built for the Canada Games in mid-February. For all you Haligonians and those with an eye for goings on in the Maritimes. > read more

Canada's response to the situation in Egypt

Published on 2011-01-31 18:29:00

While it's tough to be too critical about a situation that has rapidly developed and that might understandably produce a number of glitches, it's fair to say that the Canadian government is scrambling here in their response to the Egypt situation and > read more

Juxtapose

Published on 2011-01-31 16:21:00

What is said:"We're not going to provoke an election, folks," spokesman Dimitri Soudas said Monday."There's no intention on the part of the government to make of something a confidence vote that hasn't traditionally been one. The objective here is to > read more

New issues with the F-35 purchase

Published on 2011-01-31 06:29:00

David Pugliese has a report today on further complications that would be associated with a Canadian F-35 purchase. They appear to be big ones: The Canadian military does not have the ability to conduct aerial refuelling of the F-35 fighter jet it wan > read more

Harper government seeking university professors to come back to Canada

Published on 2011-01-31 05:28:00

A "Brain Gain" pilot project has been launched in Ontario, says Jason Kenney. The project is aimed at highly-skilled Canadian workers abroad in the health care and academic fields, with the goal of getting them to return to Canada. The federal govern > read more

The going rate

Published on 2011-01-30 15:04:00

Get yours now! Could be a collectible in the near future. In US currency, of course, it's a steal at $45.00:CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER facsimile SIGNED ROYAL COAT OF ARMS PUCKThis is an official Prime Minister of Canada puck acquire > read more

March 29th?

Published on 2011-01-29 12:45:00

"Tories planning spring election? March 29 says a talkative Conservative fundraiser over the phone to a not so receptive solicitee. Just trying to apply pressure to make donations seem more imperative? Or would it make perfect sense given what the Pr > read more

Saturday notes

Published on 2011-01-29 06:12:00

A few items noticed from the last day or so even while events in Egypt are transfixing the world...1. More of that great thing the Conservatives have going on, government funding of the pre-election campaign: "Minister Ashfield Wraps Up National Tax- > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-01-28 22:27:00

More on this artist: Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Alexi Murdoch set to release his beautiful new album Towards the Sun March 28th throughout Europe on City Slang.It may be hard to believe when listening to the record, but Murdoch recorded t > read more

Reid on political party financing

Published on 2011-01-28 15:05:00

How we should go about reform to our political party financing regime, if we are going to go about it, is an important question. The present system was built on a solid basis of public policy research. The musings of Mr. Harper are not grounded in th > read more

Yes, yes, yes: The real version

Published on 2011-01-27 16:33:00

The real version of the Ignatieff speech the other day with the segment that is presently being taken out of context by the latest round of Conservative attack ads. A bit of video counter-programming to a certain bit of nonsense that's out there in t > read more

Wrong Way Harper time once again?

Published on 2011-01-27 07:35:00

A few thoughts here on the corporate tax debate as it's shaping up in the past few days. First off, a mini-celebration on the occasion of this little offering by John Ivison: "Liberals might be onto something in tax-cut opposition." This is about as > read more

Gates & MacKay to talk F-35 today

Published on 2011-01-27 05:31:00

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates is in town today for a trilateral summit that has turned into a bilateral defence summit with Peter MacKay. Mexico is out on account of illness. The F-35 is going to be a topic of discussion according to Gates' pre > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-01-26 22:11:00

An old fave that made its way onto the iPod this week...have a good rest of the night! > read more

Harper Government Campaign 2011: Partisan use of government resources across the land

Published on 2011-01-26 16:31:00

As it becomes clear that the corporate tax cut issue is shaping up to be an election issue in a coming campaign, possibly this spring, government resources are being commandeered to support the Conservative position, starting with that far-flung effo > read more

More delay and cutbacks in the F-35 program

Published on 2011-01-26 05:10:00

Bloomberg reported yesterday: The Pentagon reduced its five-year budget request by $6.9 billion by delaying the purchase of 124 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp., the military program office said today....The delays are needed because “t > read more

It's cold out there & other notes

Published on 2011-01-25 07:14:00

1. How cold is it? Try Simcoe-Grey for an answer. Scoop at the Enterprise Bulletin has been tracking some interesting goings on in the Conservative nomination brouhaha to replace Helena Guergis. In his report yesterday, he noted that 50 Conservative > read more

Maddow on Olbermann's departure

Published on 2011-01-24 23:46:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyA little late night U.S. break here because I know a lot of we Canadians watch MSNBC quite regularly and are curious about what's going on with our U.S. faves. This is Rachel's > read more

There will be no electioneering in the war room!

Published on 2011-01-24 17:34:00

It's all about parliamentary peace and “outreach and persuasion," baby!They certainly wanted this visual in the news record. Whether that's for inoculation at budget time or not, we shall see.And of course, we can't let this moment pass without hav > read more

A fitting 5 year speech

Published on 2011-01-24 06:09:00

Well, what is there to say about the big speech yesterday? Maybe just a few things. Principally, the event seemed perfectly emblematic of this 5 year-old government. Emblematic in that it was big on the presentation, executed to a T and yet not so bi > read more

Saturday reading

Published on 2011-01-22 06:08:00

Jeffrey Simpson brings it today: "Attack the policies, not the person." Brilliantly stated. > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-01-21 18:05:00

Well, I'm sticking with the Guardian, again. They be on to something, these people: Two years (and a bit) on from 19, Adele Adkins comes of age sounding as wise beyond her years as she did in 2008. While 19 detailed the end of a relationship with "an > read more

Reneging on a constitutional trade-off

Published on 2011-01-21 08:42:00

There was an op-ed in the Toronto Star yesterday that should be factored in to the right-wing stoked talk about axing a key part of our campaign finance system, the public financing of political parties in the form of the per vote financing. "Dollars > read more

A succession list appears

Published on 2011-01-21 07:08:00

This was a bit of a strange development yesterday afternoon. Without any introductory context to the piece came this bare list compiled and published by Canadian Press: "A list of potential Conservative successors to Prime Minister Stephen Harper." O > read more

New Liberal ads: The misguided priorities of Harper's Canada

Published on 2011-01-21 06:47:00

Two tough issue ads just released by Liberals, on the issues of the corporate tax cuts and the untendered F-35 jet purchase, asking Canadians if they share these priorities. This is a hard-hitting and issue-focussed response to the very personal ons > read more

Costly debacle, that UAE thing

Published on 2011-01-20 19:08:00

The military and the Canadian taxpayer bear the brunt: The Canadian military is casting about for another staging base for Afghanistan to replace makeshift arrangements in Cyprus – where the Forces relocated after Canada was kicked out of the Unite > read more

How cold is it

Published on 2011-01-20 16:31:00

A little game courtesy of the Yellowknife denizens. This is fun.(h/t) > read more

Fifty years ago

Published on 2011-01-20 09:13:00

John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address on January 20, 1961. A remembrance: > read more

The "better off" ballot question gets some early answers

Published on 2011-01-20 06:45:00

Update (8:30 p.m.) below.The Star is reporting on an Angus Reid poll on whether Canadians feel better or worse off than they did five years ago, i.e., during the tenure of Stephen Harper's government. The poll was taken on January 13th & 14th so > read more

Democratic contrasts

Published on 2011-01-20 05:39:00

In June, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Canada. His visit attracted some controversy in terms of the Prime Minister's office helping Hu keep critics away and there being no press conference held: Chinese President Hu Jintao was kept well-insulat > read more

UAE/Canada dispute rolls on

Published on 2011-01-19 19:47:00

A headline that raises a question: "German airline enters fray, bolsters Ottawa’s stand against UAE." I think that what the Globe piece really signifies is that the German airline, who happens to be a partner airline with Air Canada, bolsters Air > read more

All IP owners draw lines with partisan ads

Published on 2011-01-19 16:31:00

While Conservatives are waxing dramatically over CBC's request that the Conservative Party cease and desist from using CBC footage in their latest round of partisan ads, we should remind ourselves that using copyrighted material without permission se > read more

The tenor of our times

Published on 2011-01-18 05:19:00

Martin nails it, again. But, given the PM’s reputation, given his need to be more statesmanlike to broaden his support, given Tucson and the search for higher standards, he is taking a bigger gamble this time. Canadians are likely to compare this j > read more

Skate-off

Published on 2011-01-17 16:05:00

As with the dancing, in winter, a skate-off might be in order. Does that little girl know something we don't? > read more

F-35 coverage in southern Ontario

Published on 2011-01-17 09:31:00

The PM's big push on Friday in Montreal to sell his $16-$21 billion F-35 proposal got a fair amount of attention. There was some attention paid to the Liberal position yesterday in southwestern Ontario too. See the video report at this link for examp > read more

Like clockwork: attack ads from the attack leader

Published on 2011-01-17 07:14:00

The ugly side of Stephen Harper's divisive governing style rears its head once again: "Tories launch attack ads." Apparently the ads are to start today and air across the country. Spending millions to once again demonize Michael Ignatieff. Quite the > read more

Mortgage rules: Now and Then with Jim Flaherty

Published on 2011-01-17 05:30:00

Now: CTV News has learned that Flaherty will unveil three new rules:* Mortgage amortization periods will be reduced to 30 years from 35 years.* The maximum amount Canadians can borrow to refinance their mortgages will be lowered to 85 per cent from t > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-01-15 21:01:00

> read more

Come together

Published on 2011-01-15 17:18:00

> read more

Blog Post Index: F-35

Published on 2011-01-15 06:01:00

This index compiles all of this blog's relevant posts to date on the Harper government's proposed F-35 purchase that was announced on July 16th, 2010. New posts will be added to the index. Bold font indicates posts that readers may wish to reference > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-01-14 18:34:00

The Decemberists, Down by the Water: After five increasingly ambitious and intricate albums, concluding with 2009's prog-folk-rock opera The Hazards of Love, the Decemberists have gone back to their beginnings for The King Is Dead, with leader Colin > read more

Harper left holding the bag for Air Canada; Camp Mirage lost for nothing?

Published on 2011-01-14 05:29:00

So, a bit of a recap here on the latest development in this ongoing UAE dispute which is proving to be an utter disaster for the Harper government. The Harper brain trust chose to fully embrace Air Canada's present day position of saying no to more l > read more

Meet your "Red Tape Reduction Commission"

Published on 2011-01-13 18:45:00

The Members of the Commission are largely Conservative, made up of Stockwell Day and six other Conservative MPs. Beyond that, there are six private sector representatives.For what it's worth, and perhaps not too surprisingly, one of them, Bill Aho, a > read more

Too heavy on the macro?

Published on 2011-01-13 08:28:00

Worth reading for a succinct overview of the record of the past five years. This quote in a Globe piece providing background on the document is an interesting companion to the read, it speaks to the message, tone and detail in the above document: “ > read more

The Obama speech

Published on 2011-01-13 07:36:00

One highlight here. This excerpt: The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives – to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents. And if, as has been discussed in recent days, th > read more

Late night

Published on 2011-01-12 23:06:00

> read more

Today in UAE dispute escalation

Published on 2011-01-12 18:50:00

This one just keeps escalating. In fact, there is a report suggesting that we're into "diplomatic rebuke" territory now according to the Gulf News: Relations between the UAE and Canada are strained to the point where a strong diplomatic rebuke has be > read more

Engagement pays

Published on 2011-01-12 08:30:00

Clearly, it's tough to work things out with those people. Alberta is also engaging with the UAE: As the Harper government’s feud with the United Arab Emirates escalates over air landing rights, the Alberta government is sending a senior minister to > read more

On election strategies

Published on 2011-01-12 07:02:00

Lawrence Martin, at the iPolitics site, apparently has some of the low down on possible Liberal strategy in a coming election as the Ignatieff road trip begins today. A few quick thoughts...On first reading, I thought, hmmm, it might not be the smart > read more

Australian floods

Published on 2011-01-12 06:09:00

Totally off the Canadian political beat here, the videos of what's going on in Australia are too compelling to ignore. This one captures some of the remarkable highlights of the past day or so, cars being swept away, animals in danger, etc. Gillard s > read more

Harper still MIA on the UAE

Published on 2011-01-11 16:41:00

Judging by the PMO's spin effort to pursue Bob Rae on the UAE issue, they see vulnerability for themselves politically. Not surprising. Rae has a point. It's not a hard one. Canada is in an unnecessary fight with a trading partner in the Middle East > read more

Read of the day

Published on 2011-01-11 06:00:00

That would be Lawrence Martin's column, "Majority! Who cares?" Itemizing the many ways in which Stephen Harper has exploited the weak areas of our parliamentary democracy to his advantage. A lot of it isn't necessarily new but one sentence in partic > read more

Simple answers to silly questions

Published on 2011-01-10 21:37:00

No. > read more

Harper writing off the UAE?

Published on 2011-01-10 05:44:00

Update (5:00 p.m.) below. Interesting reading today that's bound to produce a whole host of overreactions: "Bob Rae meets with UAE leaders, fields air landing complaints." Rae is in the Middle East apparently, on his own dime, and mixing meetings in > read more

Obama on the Giffords shooting

Published on 2011-01-08 16:39:00

The New York Times is running a liveblog of the developments.Update: Great piece on Gabrielle Giffords. > read more

Harper does Welland in his inimitable way

Published on 2011-01-08 05:00:00

Awww. Did you see the government workbooks the children had? It breaks your heart. More here in the local coverage.You know, when you say things like this:“A lot of previous prime ministers seem to make all of their announcements only in Toronto, M > read more

Friday night

Published on 2011-01-07 19:51:00

Buffalo from the Phoenix Foundation: Taking a route increasingly denied to British pop, these New Zealanders have been able to develop under the radar over a decade before delivering what feels like a major breakthrough. Buffalo doesn't reinvent the > read more

Making environmental history

Published on 2011-01-07 17:27:00

Harper, speaking yesterday at one of his government's $278 million in spending announcement gigs, made a surprising statement: "This government has taken more concrete measures for the environment than any other federal government in history," he sai > read more

Tone deaf RCMP

Published on 2011-01-06 05:01:00

Update below.This is a very strange trial balloon: "RCMP wants less strict rules on disclosure to defence lawyers." The RCMP is calling on the Harper government to find a way to ease disclosure requirements that force the Mounties to share all of the > read more

Caught out

Published on 2011-01-05 17:25:00

As Uranowski is pointing out this afternoon in a cleverly titled post, "IMakeTheRules.gov," there is some astounding news today that should matter in Canadian politics. The Harper government proceeded with their uber-partisan Economic Action Plan web > read more

Quebec fallout from Kent appointment

Published on 2011-01-05 06:27:00

Something that went unremarked in English speaking Canada yesterday on the Kent appointment as Environment Minister is getting some attention in Quebec today within this editorial in Le Devoir:Dans ce dossier des GES en particulier, le gouvernement H > read more

And an anchorman shall be environment minister

Published on 2011-01-04 16:04:00

So it's Peter Kent who gets the lucky promotion/drew the short straw to Harper Environment Minister! In which he will have to navigate the perilous "harmonization" front thingy we've supposedly got going with the U.S. And in which he will be navigati > read more

Doing the yearly Harper shuffle

Published on 2011-01-04 06:21:00

Apparently that cabinet shuffle is in the offing today. We went through the cabinet shuffle exercise last January too. It's very difficult to get excited about these things since they seem to be yearly, in any event, and as we know, the PM is determi > read more

Party brands, the bimonthly view

Published on 2011-01-04 05:21:00

The "top of mind" word clouds from Abacus Data seem to have generated a lot of attention yesterday. The word cloud derived for the Liberal party, in particular, garnered a lot of attention and was quite prominently displayed on the Globe's Politics p > read more

Deep thought

Published on 2011-01-02 05:54:00

Can you find "real solutions" by turning over rocks? > read more

On New Year's resolutions...

Published on 2011-01-01 14:42:00

I think I'm with her: So let's do something useful this year. Let's decide that we're OK the way we are, after all, and that we don't need to try to become thinner or prettier or more productive. Let's refuse to make ourselves better, and make the wo > read more

Baird spins U.S. EPA rules wrong

Published on 2011-01-01 06:00:00

John Baird on the new Environmental Protection Agency regulations in the U.S. that are coming into force on January 2nd: Entrant en vigueur le 2 janvier, la nouvelle réglementation de l'Agence de protection environnementale américaine prévoit que > read more

Friday night

Published on 2010-12-31 18:32:00

New Year's version, this one seemed appropriate. Bit of an old sound (from 2003 mind you) mixed with the new. Have a good night! > read more

Best of 2010

Published on 2010-12-31 07:00:00

Churchill statue, Halifax, N.S.Not a Canadian political year end list here! As I was finally getting around to renewing my New Yorker subscription yesterday, on the site I came across this article: "The making of Winston Churchill." It was from the A > read more

Happy thoughts at year's end

Published on 2010-12-31 05:00:00

Ah yes, what do we have today...someone's looking to build a Prime Ministerial bunker in case terror or nuclear winter rain down upon us: "New site sought for government command centre during emergency." Plans are in the works for a new backup site t > read more