Super Weekend!

Just saying good luck to all my friends. Hope to see you all come Montreal!

Super Weekend!

Just saying good luck to all my friends. Hope to see you all come Montreal!

Joe Volpe...

I pride myself on not blogging anything negative. But I just have to say it is time for Mr. Volpe to walk. Show is over. Enough said.

Hedy backs Bob

With one camp falling another has the momentum of damn runaway freight train. Hedy Fry, a fantastic MP from BC. Its all right here on BobRae.ca

Let me just welcome this fantastic woman to the Bob Rae camp. She will be a fantastic addition. She has a fresh outlook on this party.

Bob visits Sudbury

I won't spend a lot of time today on this, as everyone knows there is plenty of news. So I'll just throw this out there. This is from the Northern Life.

And I will say this. He is dead on about the Middle East.

Liberal leadership hopeful Bob Rae visits Sudbury

BY JASON THOMPSON

Federal Liberal Party leadership candidate Bob Rae said the last federal election was about protest and punishment.

His Liberal Party, regardless of who is at the helm, best reflects the thoughts and attitudes of the majority of Canadians, he said.

Rae was in Greater Sudbury over the weekend and spoke about his campaign at a function held Sept. 24 at Sudbury MP Diane Marleau's residence. Marleau, a former federal minister of health, has come out in support of Rae because his stand on protecting universal medicare is the same as hers, she says.

Rae said he was excited about the prospect of becoming the next Liberal leader and then achieving his ultimate goal of becoming Canada's next Prime Minister.

He added he doesn't want Stephen Harper to do to Canada what former premier Mike Harris did to Ontario.

The former NDP premier of Ontario, Rae said he running he is now a Liberal because somethings have changed in politics, namely the re-alignment of the right-wing.

Rae expressed concern that the Canadian Conservative Party was no longer progressive and was becoming too much like American Republicans, especially in their foreign policy and their views on the mission in Afghanistan.

Rae said he was troubled by a speech Harper made before the United Nations when he spend about 90 percent of his time talking about Afghanistan when there are so many other foreign policy issues, such as the AIDS crisis in Africa and the conflict in Darfur, that Canada should also have a role in.

Rae said he believes Canada's presence in the Middle East will be a critical issue in the next election.

The leadership convention will be held in December.

Happy 5767!

Very little today as I've been celebrating the new year. So let me just say a very peaceful Shana Tova to all.

Liberals oust Tories in New Brunswick vote

Here it is. NB Libs tooks out Lord's Tories. I always said he should've gotten out of provincial politics years ago. Oh well, Shawn Graham will make an excellent Premier. Perhaps this is just forshadowing a federal Liberal victory? (and under Bob Rae?)

Carolyn Bennet throws her support behind Bob Rae

Vancouver - September 15, 2006 - At a press conference today in Vancouver, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, federal Liberal leadership candidate, medical doctor and former Minister of State for Public Health and medical doctor, announced her support for Bob Rae.

“I have decided to support Bob Rae’s candidacy because of his progressive vision for the country. Bob and I both recognize the urgent need for practical reforms to health and health care as well as for our party and our Parliament. Bob has also championed an independent Canadian foreign policy, and a progressive, fiscally prudent economic and social agenda, both of which I strongly support. His values, priorities and vision best correspond to those I laid out in my campaign, and I enthusiastically throw my support behind him”, said Dr. Bennett.

Dr. Bennett has run a strong, ideas-based campaign, focused on democratic renewal and the broad range of issues related to public health. She has been a consistent and strong advocate for women’s issues throughout her Parliamentary career and in this campaign.

“Carolyn has set an important agenda in this leadership, grounded in core Liberal values. She understands the challenges of Canada’s health care system and has advocated sensible, thoughtful, ideas to improve the system. I am honoured and deeply pleased she has decided to support my candidacy. And I will continue to champion the issues and reform ideas Carolyn has put on the table”, said Bob Rae.

In closing Dr. Bennett said: “Bob is by far the most experienced candidate in this race. He is passionate, articulate and energetic. He has the best sense of the country and its complexities, which he gained the hard way-- through 30 years of public life at both the federal and provincial levels. Over the course of this leadership campaign he has earned the respect of Liberals at the grassroots level. I am confident he is ready to lead this party and fight the retrograde policies of the Harper government in the next election. Bob will make an excellent Prime Minister of Canada”.

Dr. Bennett has represented the riding of St. Paul's in Toronto since 1997. She joins Maurizio Bevilacqua as the second leadership candidate to endorse Bob Rae’s campaign.

[That message courtesy of BobRae.ca]

I know this is late, but I was out last night at the Pub when I got this news.

Let's be honest folks, you can throw out all the accusations you want, but the number speak. So far every leadership candidate to drop out has thrown their support behind Bob. You can give me all you want about Rae Days, but it doesn't matter. Experienced, intelligent people are backing Bob. And I am proud to count Ms. Bennet among those.

In fact I see no problem in now admitting that I had considered her as a second choice. (Although, I was very certain that she would never make it that far.) In all my time speaking with Carolyn she has astounded me. Her constant defense of universal healthcare (an issue close to me) has always made me proud to be Canadian. I usually say that you should not make a former doctor a Minister of Health, because they always come into the job with their own predetermined interests. But in this case, I would be proud to see Carolyn as our next Federal Minister of Health. She is truly and intelligent woman.

Moreover, I want to state that I am proud of her defense of the state of Israel. From visiting there and being a constant strong voice in the name of their world renouned trauma centres to her release just recently calling for the resignation of Borys W. She will make an excellent addition to Team Rae and an excellent Minister in the future Rae Government.

Welcome aboard Carolyn!

Dispicable.

And here I thought I was going to have a single post about how great a job the Ontario Liberals are doing for Northern Ontario, but I was wrong. More courtesy of Vital Perspective.

New Poll Shows Naivete in Canada: 31 Percent Blame Israel for 9/11 Attacks

According to a poll by the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies (ACS), 38 percent of Quebecers think 9/11 was at least partly the result of Israel’s actions in the Middle East, the highest of any region of Canada. Overall, 31 percent of all Canadians hold the same opinion. When Quebec responses are deducted from the national total, about 27 percent of the rest of Canada think Israel's actions in the Middle East were a "primary cause" of 9/11.

In addition, the great majority of Quebecers, more than three-quarters – well above the Canadian average of 63 percent – believe the 9/11 attacks were also at least in part caused by U.S. foreign policy. An equal proportion of Quebecers and Canadians as a whole, about two-thirds, said a primary cause of 9/11 was a reaction of Islamic fundamentalism against the West.

"I was astonished by the results," said ACS director Jack Jedwab. "I knew there was a lot of naivete out there, but not this much."

Quebecers also think relations between Jews and Christians and between Jews and Muslims in Canada have deteriorated since the war in Lebanon. There was no change in attitudes to Muslims, who are viewed in a positive light by just over half of those polled. Sixty-nine percent of Quebecers have a positive opinion of Jews, down five percent from a similar survey taken July 11 to 16, when the war was just beginning. Jews are most highly regarded by the young, ages 18 to 24 (81 percent), and those whose annual household income is between $40,000 and $60,000 (76 percent). The groups with the least favorable opinion of Jews are between the ages of 55 and 64 (56 percent).

Smitherman visits NOSM, Cambrian College

Quick post. Lately it seems I've got very little time, so I'll just take a great article out of my local newspaper, "The Northern Life." Glad to see my Ontario Libs know what it takes. We never saw investment like this under Harris/Eves.

Palestinians forge unity government

Seen here the two major Palestinian political parties have come to some kind of agreement. Hamas, led by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas have come to agree on a coalition government. This means one of two things: 1) Hamas will moderate (which the article implies) or 2) Fatah will return to its radical roots with its cousins in the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. I for one am hoping Hamas will moderate its views to agree with that of the Quartet. Perhaps at that point the peace process can begin to move forward. And as I am sitting at a private computer, I will leave it at that.

Remembering 9/11

I realize it has taken me all day to post. Mostly, I wanted to make some glorious statement about where the world has come since 9/11. In reality I have none. None of us do. There is no glorious statement to make. In this situation all one can do is remember. September 11th has become the equivalent of November 11th in Canada and Memorial Day or Veteran's Day in the United States. That said; just remember.

Olmert, Abbas to Meet; No Political Progress Possible Without Shalit's Release

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said last night after a meeting with British PM Tony Blair that he is prepared to meet the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"I have no conditions or prerequisites for such a meeting," Olmert said, in an apparent policy shift. He added, "It may even be helpful with regard to Gilad Shalit," who was captured June 25. However, Olmert emphasized that there could be no political progress with the Palestinians until Shalit is free and stressed there could be "no shortcuts" in enacting the road map, which he said calls for the dismantling of Palestinian terrorist organizations as an initial step.

Abbas is also ready to meet with Olmert. Following his meeting with Blair in Ramallah, Abbas said he wished to express the Palestinian "readiness to resume serious negotiations fully" and that he was "ready to meet Prime Minister Olmert without prior conditions, and we are ready to begin immediately the preparations for this meeting."

[Courtesy Vital Perspective]

A rather slow news day, I thought I'd throw this new post from Vital Perspective out there.

It's good to see that peace and the release of Gilad Shalit are potential. And as I have always said a potential go between needs to find its way to exist. I'm not his biggest fan, but if Tony Blair can find a way to leave this as his legacy than I have no problem.

As 5th Anniversary Nears, IRGC Leader Accuses U.S., Israel of Ordering 9/11

Just days before the fifth anniversary, the Supreme Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps accused the Bush Administration and the Israeli security service Mossad of ordering the September 11 attacks. The primary task of the IRGC is to export the Islamic revolution to Jerusalem via Baghdad.

"The events of September 11 were ordered by U.S. and Mossad so that they could carry out their strategy of pre-emption and warmongering and unipolarisation in order to dominate the Middle East," Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi told military commanders on Tuesday. His comments were reported by the state-run news agency ISNA.

Safavi said that Washington had been defeated in its strategy of "attacking Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon" and creating a new order in the Middle East. "The U.S.'s neo-conservative strategy was to dominate the vast energy resources of the Persian Gulf in order to be able to control Europe, China, and India and drive the world to a unipolar state. Therefore, it planned to change undesirable regimes such as those of Iraq, Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan."

Among his many other charges against Washington, Tel Aviv and London, Safavi made the following accusations:
Describing Washington and Tel Aviv as two "inter-continental threats" against Tehran. "The U.S. must be livid at Iran because of its disgraceful defeats in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. Regarding the nuclear dossier, it might try to create circumstances so that slowly but surely economic and political pressure is applied against Iran by the Security Council."

Accusing Washington of plotting a "cultural" attack on Tehran by setting up new radio and television stations broadcasting into Iran, supporting dissident groups, and stepping up intelligence operations. "Therefore, the armed forces must be completely prepared in order to combat any forms of foreign and domestic threats."

Charging that Britain and the U.S. were stirring ethnic and religious divisions in Iran, in particular in the provinces close to the country’s frontiers.

[courtesy of blogger Vital Perspective]


But somehow it sounds less crazy when someone on this side of the world says it...strange...

Say what? Anti-semites? Who, us anti-Zionists? by Steven Plaut

http://www.freeman.org/m_online/oct03/plaut1.htm

This is a strong article. Check it out.

NDP delgates back Afghan pullout

This article is courtesy of the Toronto Star.

The New Democratic Party has officially become Canada’s first major political party to call for a withdrawal of the country’s troops from Afghanistan.

A party convention voted massively today in favour of leader Jack Layton’s call for a pullout, giving his proposal an endorsement from grassroot members and making it formal NDP policy.
More than 1,500 delegates to a party convention voted overwhelmingly — about 90 per cent — in favour of a “safe and immediate” withdrawal. A long ovation swept over the convention floor as the vote results were announced.

“We have a really strong show of support from our members here today,” Layton told reporters after the vote.

“Now we’re calling on Canadians to join with us in calling on the Harper government to change the track he’s currently on with (U.S. President) George Bush.”

New Democrats will now discuss ways to pressure the government on Afghanistan during a strategy session at a caucus retreat next week.

They may choose to table a private member’s bill or hold a vote on a non-binding motion in Parliament.

However, it’s likely that such an attempt would create more headaches for the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois, and not the Tory government.

The Liberals and Bloc would be left grappling with divisions in their own ranks on the Afghan issue, while the Tories and NDP have clearly taken sides.

Layton wants all 2,000 Canadian troops removed from the violent Kandahar region by February.

He does, however, favour keeping the few dozen Canadian soldiers currently working on reconstruction efforts in safer northern areas.

Layton’s push comes amid a spate of Canadian casualties, and following poll numbers that suggest the mission is becoming increasingly unpopular with Canadians.

But his position is not unanimously supported within the party.

Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer, whose riding holds a large military constituency, spoke out against the motion.

“What (the troops) are doing is right,” he said to clusters of polite applause.

“We need to send the message that we love them, we care about them, and that we hope for their speedy return.

“But this motion is premature.”

Stoffer said the NDP position fails to address one key question: “What happens (to Afghanistan) on March 1st?”

The wife of a Canadian Forces member also rose to speak out against the motion, calling it irresponsible and saying that soldiers need to know that Canadians appreciate their good work.
But such opinions were decidedly in the minority.

Toronto delegate Barry Weisleder said there’s been enough debate on the issue and the time has arrived for a withdrawal.

“We don’t need more consultation,” he said to loud applause.

“We need to curtail expenditures which are aiding the war contractors and which are supporting a government of warlords and druglords in Afghanistan, a government orchestrated and hand-picked by the U.S. empire. . .

“We need to get out of that dirty war.”

Former NDP leader Alexa McDonough described the military mission as a flawed means for achieving stability in Afghanistan.

“We know there is no military solution,” she said.

“The Canadian people know there is no military solution. The Canadian people know that only through a comprehensive peace process will it be possible to bring the state and non-state actors together to begin building a democratic Afghanistan.”

Now, call me a Conservative if you must. Quite frankly, I've heard enough of it as of late that it ceases to shock me. But the NDP are wrong here. I applaud NDP MP Peter Stoffer for knowing that Canadians were sent into Afghanistan with the purpose of bringing down a theocracy. Just walking away at this point will not do that. If troops are to be pulled out the risk of a rising (and quite frankly, pissed off) Taliban is put in place. We have done nothing except allowed Canadian men and women to die for no reason at all. Canada has to make sure these deaths mean something. We need to make sure that the people of Afghanistan do not live through another theocratic era. Pulling out now is incredibly premature and we (meaning Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats, or otherwise) cannot allow the world to be exposed to more theocratic governments. More importantly, this is about people. And we cannot allow the Afghani people to be exposed to the theocratic government that would undoubtedly arise.

Pope warns Canadians on gay marriage

For those that know me, you know I had to breach the equal marriage issue soon. And I you know there will be more to come with the Prime Minister's coming vote this autumn. Well here it is.

Pope Benedict, during a meeting with Ontario archbishops has stated, "Canada has excluded G-d from the public sphere." He acredits this to the legalization of abortion and equal marriage. He goes on to use the proof of a declining birth rate to support his statement. It is all right here.

I have had enough of this crap. This is not about religion. This is about rights. No one, and I mean no one, has the right to do this. Call me an extremist if you must. You would not be the first. This is a closed issue. This is about equality of person. So for those that feel a need to spread hate (of course, you would not consider it hate), "GET OVER IT!"

Israel ends naval blockade of Lebanon

Here it is.

Got some time of between now and the Laurentian Off Campus Students welcome back BBQ. *Crossing fingers for veggie dogs.* So I thought I would post this great article explaining that Israel is not the devil as so many suppose. They have kept their word to end their blockade the minute the UN has suplimented the IDF is the goal of creating a safe zone. Hopefully a lasting peace is on its way.

The Honourable Diane Marleau to support Bob Rae

I am very pleased to announce that as of today my very own Member of Parliament has joined Team Rae. Here is the release straight from BobRae.ca



Sudbury (September 7, 2006) - The Honourable Diane Marleau, Member of Parliament for Sudbury and former Cabinet Minister under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, today announced that she will support Bob Rae’s campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.



“Bob Rae has a deep understanding of the issues facing our country today,” said Mrs. Marleau. “He recognizes the value of an independent Canadian foreign policy. He knows how crucial it is to maintain and defend Canada’s public health care system. Just as importantly, Bob understands that the future of Canada depends on the sustainability of our regions. The federal government must play a positive role in ensuring opportunity and prosperity for the citizens of the North. Now, more than ever, we need an experienced hand to take the lead. That is why I believe Bob is the best candidate for Sudbury, for Northern Ontario and for Canada.”



“Diane Marleau is one of the most highly-regarded members of the Liberal Caucus,” said Bob Rae. “Her commitment to public service is remarkable, and I have always been impressed with the integrity with which she serves her constituents and her country. She has been a leading advocate for regional economic development and an ardent defender of the Canada Health Act. I am delighted to have the support of such a distinguished, well-respected parliamentarian. Together, we will continue to lead the charge on these issues and others as we work to build a stronger Liberal Party, a stronger Northern Ontario and a stronger Canada.”



Diane Marleau was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 and has been re-elected five times since. She served as Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie. She has also been a member of the House of Commons standing committee on foreign affairs. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Mrs. Marleau served as an alderman and as a regional councillor in the Regional Municipality of Sudbury from 1980 to 1985.



Bob Rae has always been a defender of Northern Ontario’s interests. During his tenure as Premier, Bob built partnerships with industry and workers that secured employment in the transportation sector and steel, notably at Bombardier’s Thunder Bay operation and at Algoma Steel. Bob also worked to expand post-secondary education and colleges in communities such as Sudbury with the establishment of Collège Boréal.



I know I join many in saying Welcome aboard!

Anti-semitism on the web

Alright folks, fresh my move and 3 days off my last post I'm ready to get back into it. So here it is...

My mind has been blown as of late by the anti-semitic nature of many on the web. Now I know many will say I am confusing anti-semitism with anti-Zionism and anti-Israeli. However, this can't be true as they are all one in the same. I have been shocked by the lack of understanding I have come across regarding such a fact as of late. But moreover, I have been shocked by those who are quoted in reference these statements that are not said to be anti-semitic at all. Quotes from such names as Robert McClelland (the NDP senior staffer who uttered those famour words, "Fuck the Jews") and David Duke (the Louisiana Republican who was once leader of the KKK) just proves the fact. Anti-semitism, anti-Israeli, and anti-Zionist are intertwined. To state otherwise would be wrong.

So I post this simply asking, "Why?" I know a number of you people I refer to read this blog, so I ask that you post a response and explain to me, "Why?"

Anger over suicide talk

I'll move away from the Middle East for a little bit, because I noticed something in the paper that angered me greatly.

This past Monday a home in Mississauga, Ontario exploded with the man still inside. This caused millions of dollars in damage to the neighbourhood. This man has been lying in the hospital ever since. He has recieved many well wishes from these very same neighbours. That all changed on Wednesday when a suicide note was found in the rubble of his former home. On Thursday, papers decided to interview those neighbours.

(This is the part where I get angry.) One of his neighbours was interviewed. One assumes she was angered by the damage to her house; said to be beyond repair. But this was what she had the gaul to say. "If you want to kill yourself, fine, eat some poison or something else. But do it somewhere else and another way." For the record, her name is Grace Garland and she lives (or used to anyway) on Duchess Drive, near Cawthra Road and the Queen Elizabeth Way. (Do what you want with that information if you're ever in the neighbourhood.

The disgusing lack of understanding someone can have for this man is apalling. What he did was wrong -- no doubt about it. However, what should be of concern is that he attempted to kill himself. He has obviously been hurting. Suicide is not a joke. On this day it was trivilized. Every year suicide kills more than homocide does. Only one in four people who ever contemplate suicide will ask for help. My heart goes out to this man. I hope that he gets help. He is obviously in great need of it.