Just got reception back

Sorry folks, I lost reception there for a while. It has led me to right in haste. More from me later though.
/jordan

Day 2

Sitting at the YLC leadership panel...

Day 1 wrap-up
Dean was okay. Bob is still looking good. That's pretty much it.

Oddly enough Martha is the only one to receive support from all candidates supportes. She earned it. That's it for now.
/jordan

Pre-Dean

Got into Montreal just in time for the Dean of Howard. Officially coming out as one of those Liberals not a fan of an American being our keynote speaker.
/jordan

Hon. Ralph Goodale endorses Rae

November 28, 2006 - Ottawa - Bob Rae today welcomed the endorsement of Ralph Goodale, MP for Wascana and former federal cabinet minister, in his campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"Bob Rae has demonstrated throughout his career a commitment to finding the right public policy solutions to the priority issues we face as a country," said Mr. Goodale. "He brings experience, an ability to bring people together for the common good and is committed to seeing an inclusive, united Liberal party. Bob has also demonstrated a concern for issues of importance to Western Canadians. Whether it is trade, agriculture, transportation or innovation and skills training, Bob brings expertise, insight and a desire to work with Canadians to ensure all provinces can reach their potential, in partnership with the federal government."

"I am honoured to have Ralph Goodale's support," said Bob Rae. "He has served as a Cabinet minister and Member of Parliament with distinction and dedication on behalf of his constituents and all Canadians. He has a powerful reputation for integrity and for fiscal responsibility. Ralph and I both believe in a party that is united, and that unified we can and will defeat Stephen Harper. I am pleased that we will be working together to that end."

Ralph Goodale was born in Regina and obtained a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 1974, serving until 1979. In 1981 he became leader of the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan. In 1993 he was elected again to the House of Commons, this time serving as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Public Works and Government Services in the government of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. In December 2003, Prime Minister Paul Martin named him Minister of Finance. He is currently the Liberal House Leader.

[Courtesy of BobRae.ca]

This is a happy day for me. My final post before heading out to leadership, and its to announce a brand spanking new endorsement. I've said many times I was disappointed Ralph Goodale never chose to run for leadership himself, and here he is endorsing my guy. The endorsement of a former finance minister who once balanced the budget should finally end the idea of Bob Rae as a bad fiscal manager. Things are looking good.

Olmert reaches out for peace

I am proud to say Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is still reaching out for peace even after the Palestinians broke a cease fire.

In a historic policy speech, Olmert stated the Palestinian people were at a historic crossroad in which they much choose peace or violence. He promised that should they choose peace he would ease checkpoints and release frozen funds to the Palestinian Authority -- truly an incredible promise, as the Palestinian Parliament is still in the power of a terrorist organization.

I can only hope that they Palestinian people and their Parliament take this opportunity to choose peace. It is will be a great step in the right direction for people all over the Middle East and their families abroad.

Palestinians brake cease fire

Merely a day have a cease fire had been reached between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority rockets were fired from Gaza into three Israeli towns. Luckily no one had been injured. But I say this, it is time the Palestinian Authority give up it up. Let me pose the question, has Israel ever broken a cease fire or peace treaty? Go on. Ask Egypt and Jordan. Simply put the answer is no. I've had enough. Its time this came to an end. People are dying. Its time the Palestinian Authority gave up its futile fight to end the life of an independant democratic nation.

Palestinians agree to cease fire

Today a spokesperson for Israeli PM Ehud Olmert announced that the Palestinian Authority has agree to end it five-month offensive against Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked in return that Israel pull back out of Gaza. By 6:00am local time, the Israeli and Palestinian peoples had reached a cease fire.

Further to that, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas has agreed to endorse the cease fire signed in Cairo in 2005.

Hopefully this will bring the beginning of some sort of peace in an area that has seen more than 400 people killed in last five months.

So is Quebec a nation?

The answer is no. Quebec is no more a nation than (and I hate to quote Jimmy K) than the Greek community, or the Chinese community, or the Italian community. Quebec is a province. Difference in language does not a nation make. Quebeckers can consider themselves special all they want, but they are not. Canada is a federation. After nearly 140 years its time we started acting like one.

The Next VP Finance of the YLC

Here is a man that has earned my friendship and my endorsement. Visit his website. Vote for him in Montreal (assuming you'll be there). Ladies and gentlemen -- Brian Clow.

Lebanese Leader Murdered

I know I'm a day late on this, but I've been criticized for my approach to the Middle East in the past and figured this would be an issue to mull prior to posting.

I am deeply saddened by the murder of Lebanese cabinet minister Pierre Gemayal. This man had the potential to be the future of a peaceful Lebanon. His anti-Syrian attitute was never hidden from the world and his want for peace with the United States and Israel was truly one of his greatest qualities. He will undoubtedly be missed among those advocating for peace in the Middle East.

Ghetto?

So Michael Ignatieff is throwing around the word "ghetto" as if it was nothing at all. I'm not at a computer at the moment, but I can assure you thddd will be more by the time I get home. Stay tuned.
/jordan

Two and a half weeks without a post and all I need is three sentences to get piss people off. I'm flattered. So here's the story as it stands...

"What Liberals need is someone who can run down the middle with a progressive message, and leave the NDP in their own particular ghetto."

Moving on.

The use of the word "ghetto" is such a context is deplorable. This is not a word to be thrown around in such away. Ghetto is better left an ancient term that is simply a remnant of one of the most deplorable moments of human history.

This further proves that Iggy is not ready to be leader of this country. Its time he walked away and protected Canadians from such a risk.