Merry Christmas from Gagetown!

It's a white Christmas out here, and being on Atlantic Time we get a jump on the rest of the country. Hoping you and yours, Tory, Dipper, independent and Liberal alike, have a wonderful and Merry Christmas.

May your thoughts be turned to the One Whose birth we remember today, and the reasons why He came... To redeem your soul and mine from sin, that we might not an Eternity apart from Him.

Sent from my Blackberry

Is there a glimmer of hope dawning for 2010?

To all the "nervous nellies" who've been complaining that the Harper Tories aren't "conservative" enough for you... looks like a Happy New Year may be in store after all!

Flaherty's deficit plan: Take an axe and cut deep
'I've done it before,' in Harris-era Ontario
Published On Wed Dec 23 2009

OTTAWA–Faced with the largest federal deficit in history, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says he will start looking for programs to axe and government assets to sell off as soon as the economy recovers.

"It's necessary for restraint to happen" to rein in Ottawa's spending, Flaherty told the Toronto Star in a year-end interview.

"We get hundreds and hundreds of programs that just trundle along, growing at 3 or 4 per cent a year or more – ahead of the rate of inflation – and it takes some resolve to restrain that spending growth."

With a chuckle, he admitted that slashing government programs can prompt public outrage. "Every program has a group of people who believe strongly in that program," he said.

But "some programs should end," Flaherty insisted. "This assumption in government – that every time a program is created, the program should go on indefinitely – is mistaken. So some programs should just end because their usefulness has ended."

Note to commenters, I'm on the road for most of the next few days, so don't expect to see any comments published for a bit.

Colvin - The Diplomat who cried wolf?

As some have noticed, I haven't bothered to wade into the whole Afghan torture "allegations" issue all that much because, well, it's a non-issue for me. So expect this to be all you'll hear from me on it.

First of all, as we've been reminded by our Canadian Forces, the only people who were handed over were people who were either "caught in the act", or who tested postive for GSR... gunpowder residue. I'm sorry, but I just have a hard time getting worked up over protecting people who've been caught red-handed with guns, or roadside bombs. (And I thought the lefties were all about gun control... just not in Afghanistan, I guess...)

Second of all, did you ever hear the story of the boy who cried wolf? It's my guess, and this is admittedly total speculation on my part, that the Mr. Colvin's memos on this issue got routienly ignored, perhaps even with a roll of the eyes, and the recipiants probably even said "Oh great, here he goes again" every time they got such an e-mail.

I mean come on, admit it, we all have one or two of those people that we work with. People that have an "issue" that they're always harping on, and when we get a message from that person, we just roll our eyes and think "Oh what are they whining about now."

The one line we've been hearing over and over again from the Government and the Military is that no "substantiated" allegations were brought forward. Meanwhile the Opposition are pointing to the Colvin memos as "proof" that there were such allegations. But if his memos weren't acted upon because he was regarded as a boy crying wolf, well then, how exactly can anyone hold the Government he held accountable for that?

So maybe he got it right ONCE, after all the years of harping on the issue. But unfortunately, the one time he may have been right got drowned out by all his other memos.

Just like that poor little boy... the one time he was right, no one listened to him, and it was his own fault.

Possible LEAK of Copenhagen Treaty

Who knows if this supposed LEAK is really what the proposed treaty looks like... but if it is, it underscores my BIGGEST issue with the whole "climate change" scheme... it's not about "Global Warming", IT'S ABOUT WEALTH TRANSFER.

8. Scaled up, new and additional, predictable and adequate funding shall be provided to developing country Parties, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, to enable and support enhanced action on mitigation, including REDD-plus, adaptation, technology development and transfer and capacity-building, for
enhanced implementation of the Convention. Parties take note of the individual pledges by developed country

Parties to provide new and additional resources amounting to 30 billion dollars for the period 2010-2012 as listed and with funding for adaptation prioritized for the most vulnerable developing countries, such as the least developed countries, small island developing states and countries in Africa affected by drought, desertification and floods.

In the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, the Parties support a goal of mobilizing jointly 100 billion dollars a year by 2020 to address the climate change needs of developing countries. This funding will come from a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources of finance.

$100 BILLION DOLLARS?!?!?! Where on EARTH are we going to come up with that kind of dough ANNUALLY?!?! What is Canada's share of that contribution going to look like? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO COME UP WITH THAT POTENTIAL $1-5 BILLION A YEAR!?!?!?

Of course, the transfer of some of our Western wealth in and of itself is not an entirely bad thing... but let's call it for what it really is, and then do something about the REAL problems in the Third World. I, for one, would be more than willing to take all the money we're CURRENTLY spending on "climate change" and redirect it into real hard solutions to major problems around the world... just think of all the problems we could solve! But increasing our funding of an issue who's scientific support is suspect? You've got to be kidding me!

I also have serious issues with men like Mugabee, Chavez, Kim Jong-il, and other world despots being given a single dime of that money... which the current proposed Copenhagen Treaty does not in any way, shape, or form address.

There's a bit of a silver lining, I suppose, in all this. If this is played right politically, and if the fallout from the leak at East Anglia continues, this could play right into our hands... can you imaging Iggy on the campaign trail trying to justify the HUGE tax increases we'd need to be able to afford this? All the PM would have to do is say that we're pulling out of the treaty, and BINGO... there's our majority.

I'm CONVINCED that Canadians are all willing to do our share to help the needy in this world. But when it comes to "climate change", and when it starts to hits them HARD in the pocket books, which this treaty is going to, I firmly believe that Canadians simply won't stand for it.

Of course, this could all just be a red herring... they may have leaked this strategically so that they can bring forward a treaty that calls for only $50 BILLION a year. Because it will have a "more reasonable" number, our leaders may be hoodwinked into signing on... like they were with Kyoto.

On second thought, I DO believe in "Global Warming"

2 Peter 3:10 - "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."

Do I believe in man made Global Warming? YES, yes I do. Through man, SIN entered into the world. Therefore, man is responsible for the eventual "warming"... by fire.

A friend of mine made a really good point tonight at prayer meeting. This whole thing in Copenhagen right now? Just another distraction from the real issue at hand... that all the problems of mankind are a direct result of SIN, and that the only answer is for the world to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith.

He made another really good point tonight as well... that mankind is more united today, politically, economically, and socially, due to "Global Warming". Cue the New World Order!

Iffy the Geek?

Friend posted this on his Facebook the other day. With the Liberals still refusing to properly apologize for their tasteless assasination of Harper photo (come on guys, the "non-apology apology" you threw up [pun] there just doesn't cut it), I figure that turnabout is fair play... and we don't even need Photoshop for this one...

I mean, come on Iggy... what were you thinking? A green tie DOES NOT go with a blue shirt! Even I know that! Of course, this photo was likely taken back in the Reform days... maybe he was just flying his true colours? (note to Iggy, we spell "colour" with a "U" up here...)

However think my totally non-political sister-in-law summed it up best when she saw the pic... "bahahahahhahahahhaha......hahahaha"

Nuff said.

Why is the CBC the ONLY MSM silent on "Assasin-ate"?

Yes, I dropped the "G"... "Assasin-gate" just doesn't right...

Okay readers, let's review the media coverage of this Liberal photo-fiasco, shall we?

The Globe & Mail, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE.
The Toronto Star, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE.
CTV, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE.
The National Post, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE.
United Press International, 2nd story in their International News section.

Our very own, taxpayer funded CBC? CUE THE CRICKETS.

Not even LISTED in their "Politics" section. You have to know EXACTLY where to go, to Kady's blog, to even find the story. Now why is that, do you think? Perhaps they're not wanting to inform Canadians of anything that makes their dear Liberals look bad? Good thing you've got someone like Kady to give you some credibility... at least she's covering it on her blog.

h/t to Joanne at Blue Like You

UPDATE: Now it's there, but not because the CBC posted it... it's linked in their "More Stories from Canadian Press" section way down at the bottom. It's also now listed as a minor story in their Politics section.

Better late than never, I suppose.

UPDATE II: It's now listed as one of their top stories, updated at literally the same time I posted my initial UPDATE. Guess they realized they couldn't ignore it any longer, with the outcry growing by the hour.

Do thoughts of Harper's assasination make Liberals smile?

Sick... and this from the same folks were all up in arms over a puffin pooping on Dion. This pic was taken from the Liberal Party of Canada's own website (which has now been removed):

That's right... several members, several employees in fact, of the Liberal Party of Canada thought that a photo of The Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper getting assasinated was funny. I'd venture a guess that the vast majority of the Canadian public would disagree with that twisted opinion.

So, a little digging is in order... according to the Google cache, the offending photo was submitted by either "Miles" of Windsor ON, or "Richard" of Ottawa ON, as those are the only two photos that are missing from the cached website and appear to have been pulled down. (see UPDATE IV below) Also don't forget, this is an "OFFICIAL" Liberal Party website... therefore, the offending photos were "approved" by someone at HQ, so we have at least one or I'd wager two individuals involved.

This text has now been posted on the Liberal Party website:

"A note to all viewers:

We thank all participants in this photo challenge who have submitted their entries for consideration. Our intent was to engage Canadians concerned about the Prime Minister’s reluctance to attend the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

The photos here are created by visitors to our website, and do not always reflect the views of the Liberal Party of Canada. Though we continue to screen submissions before posting, we have removed certain images that may have been offensive to some viewers.

We apologize for any offence these images may have caused, and continue to strive to present a progressive and dynamic web experience for our site visitors.

Sincerely,
The Web Team"

That's nice... but members of "The Web Team" surely have names, do they not Mr. Donolo and Mr. Ignatieff? With the whole puffin pooping incident, the Liberals demanded that someone be fired, and Ryan Sparrow did indeed step down over the issue.

But I think we can do them one better and can be more gracious than that. I don't think that anyone needs to be fired over this... but someone at HQ better own up to it pronto. Mr. Ignatieff, Mr. Donolo, please give us the names... no blanket mea culpas here. Besides, it's in your own best interest... a quick response to this will help to nip the impending outcry in the bud.

h/t to rjjago and National Newswatch.

UPDATE: Better hurry up with that naming of names Iggy and DonOLO... the Globe & Mail's Jane Taber (the Globe also has the photo archived here) and CBC's Kady O'Malley have picked it up.

UPDATE II: This comment CBC's from Rick Mercer, when asked about his regular Photo Challenge: “We run a photoshop contest at RMR [his CBC television show, Rick Mercer Report]. I can’t tell you how many pics we get of people’s heads on Lee Harvey Oswald’s body,” he told The Globe today. “Common sense and good taste mean we don’t post them.”

UPDATE III: Oooooh... the tried, tested, but ultimately useless "non-apology apology" is the route the Liberals have chosen.
Wrong move Mr. DonOLO.

AN UNNAMED BUT SENIOR LIBERAL WEIGHS IN: Courtesy of Colleague Barton, here's the latest statement on That Hastily Disappeared Photoshop Picture, credited to a Senior Liberal Official:

The photo contest is a humorous way of pointing out Harper's reluctance to attend the climate change meeting in Copenhagen. It's important to keep in mind that the pictures are created by visitors to our website, and do not reflect the views of the LPC or of the OLO.

Though the pictures are screened before posting, this one slipped through the cracks and was removed quickly. It should never have been posted as it is clearly off-limits and offensive.

The apologies of the web team are now posted at the top of the photo contest page.

Note that, although it does explicitly acknowledge that the image in question was "clearly off-limits and offensive," it doesn't actually include an apology, but simply points out that "the apologies of the web team" have been posted.

All that's gonna do is annoy the folks who were initially willing to cut you some slack, and let you get off with blaming an "overcaffinated staffer"... but now we're playing for KEEPS. Now folks are likely going to demand a firing.

Congrats to all the lowly staffers in the Liberal Party who are going to end up in his eventual sights. Because the high and mighty Iffy and DonOLO didn't have the guts to take responsibility for the disgusting photo, their Christmas gift to one of you will likely have to be a pink slip. Be sure to thank them.

UPDATE to UPDATE III: Looks like that "non-apology apology" is just the "talking point" being distributed amongst Liberals for damage control. This from a comment left by "Bert", who says he got this in response to an e-mail complaint he sent to the Liberal Party:

Thank you for your email regarding the Liberal Party of Canada’s photo challenge.

The intent of the photo challenge was to engage Canadians concerned about the Prime Minister’s reluctance to attend the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

The photos posted to the website are user-generated, and do not always reflect the views of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Though we strove to screen submissions before posting, we have removed certain images that may have been offensive.

We apologize for any offence these images may have caused.

Yours sincerely,

Liberal Party of Canada
www.liberal.ca​

Nice try DonOLO... remind your "Senior Liberals" not to quote the talking points memo almost verbatum when speaking to reporters.

UPDATE IV: According to Kady, the offending photo was submitted by "Richard" in Ottawa... anyone know any Liberal staffers or OLO personel on the Hill named Richard?

UPDATE V: (reposted as new post) Let's review the media coverage of this, shall we? The Globe & Mail, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE. The Toronto Star, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE. CTV, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE. The National Post, MAIN PAGE OF WEBSITE. UPI, United Press International, 2nd story in their International News section.

Our very own, taxpayer funded CBC? CUE THE CRICKETS. Not even LISTED in their "Politics" section. You have to know EXACTLY where to go, to Kady's blog, to even find the story. Now why is that, do you think? Perhaps they're not wanting to inform Canadians of anything that makes their dear Liberals look bad? Good thing you've got someone like Kady to give you some credibility... at least she's covering it on her blog.

John Tory just handed Toronto's Mayoralty?

Federal Liberal Party President Rocco Rossi has just resigned, rumour from National Newswatch is that he's throwing his hat into the ring for the Toronto Mayor's race.

I just love it when they split the left... with John Tory's strong centrist credentials, I think he's got the right locked up, and will keep a strong portion of the middle, thereby sewing up this fight before it even start.

That is, of course, assuming he jumps into the race.

A worldwide "One Child Policy" Law?

Yikes... and this from the National Post?

The "inconvenient truth" overhanging the UN's Copenhagen conference is not that the climate is warming or cooling, but that humans are overpopulating the world.

A planetary law, such as China's one-child policy, is the only way to reverse the disastrous global birthrate currently, which is one million births every four days.

Of course, you know the Muslim world will never go for this, as their birthrate FAR exceeds our Western nations.

Here's an idea, why don't we just name this international law, "Let's make it even easier to take over the West!"

h/t SDA

This year's carol - "Dalton's Tax is Coming to Town"

LOL... heard part of this on CFRB 1010's John Moore show this morning.

With a voice like that, he's certainly not going to get far on Canadian Idol, but it sure is a humourous way to remind everyone that there's a new Grinch in town this year...
Dalton McGrinchy!

Tiger Woods loses an endorsement

It may not be a big one, but I'm sure it's not the last one... a local Optometrist who had a TLC Laser ad in his office with Tiger Woods, took it down yesterday after several offhand comments from patients.

I doubt it's an isolated incident. Likely some interesting chats going on at TLC and Nike HQ's right now.

Liberal Senators AGAIN protect drug producers

What is with these guys? Every time we manage to get tougher punishments for criminals through the House of Commons, the Liberals in the Senate defy the will of the people an water them down.

This time, Liberal Senators have watered down the provisions of Bill C-15 which would introduce mandatory minimum sentences for criminals growing fewer than 200 marijuana plants.

H-E-L-L-O?!?! Okay, I could see them wanting reduced sentences for MAYBE up to five or ten plants... that could be argued as being for "personal use". BUT 199?!?!? Pardon the expression, but just what are these guys smoking?

Canadians have been saying loud and clear for some time now that they want action taken on crime. Drugs in our neighbourhoods, in schools, enough it enough! When will the Liberal Senators get the message and stop softening the landing for criminals convicted of these crimes?

Maybe I was wrong on the HST

WOW... Ontarian's are DECIDEDLY opposed to the HST, according to an Angus-Reid poll released by the Toronto Star... and the issue has brought about a complete REVERSAL of the political fortunes of Dalton McGuinty and Tim Hudak, with them swapping places in the Horserace numbers.

Key Poll Findings:
Horserace: PC’s 41%, Liberals 29%, NDP 20% and Greens at 11%

- 76% are very or moderately familiar with the HST
- 75% oppose the establishment of the HST in Ontario
- 83% believe the HST will make goods and services more expensive
- 70% say their opinion of the McGuinty government has worsened over the HST

I thought that pursing this issue too vigourously could hurt the Ontario PC's, as it would make them look impotent being unable to stop it. Looks like I was wrong on that one. It appears that McGuinty and McGuinty ALONE is wearing this one, as it doesn't appear to be even touching the Federal Tories... especially now that both the McGuinty and Iggy Liberals have got our backs on this one.

Of course, it's still a long way off until October 2011...

NEWSBOYS in OUTER SPACE!

Sweet! If you're a fan of Christian Music, you'll love this... last month NASA woke up the crew of the shuttle Atlantis on Nov. 19 to the sound of the Newsboys tune "In Wonder", upon request of one of the crew's wives.

The Newsboys, one of the top bands on the CCM scene, may be the first Christian Band to have been broadcast in outer space!

Check the view here.

Charles Adler fires back at CBC's Heather Mallick

OUCH... a stinging rebuke from Charles Adler to CBC's Heather "I'm Embarrassed to be a Canadian" Mallick... and a rightly deserved one.

My letter to Heather Mallick
Dear Heather,

I don't know of anyone who is forcing you to remain in Canada. If you are truly embarrassed to be Canadian, you can always stop having a Canadian website, the CBC can stop posting your blogs and stop paying you with Canadian tax dollars. You can always burn your OHIP card so that you no longer have your health care subsidized by Canadian tax dollars. Heather, you need to know that these dollars that you have been paid, the lifestyle which you have become accustomed to has been subsidized by what you and your blogger friend in Britain call Dirty Oil. While you may be free to say that in Quebec, the Queen of cool on Kyoto and every other cause you have hopped on, Quebec is a Have Not province. For decades it has been propped up by Have provinces. The province that has coughed up a much greater share per capita of money for the Have Not than any other province is Alberta. If we called this a contest, it's not even close.

Now since this dirty business of Oil sands oil is being sent around to Have Not provinces like Quebec and creating so much revenue for Canadian social programs, including equalization, would you as someone who supports these programs, would you like to call people in provinces like Quebec and the Maritimes and Manitoba and as of now because of Liberal mismanagement, you can add Ontario to the list as well…Heather, would you like to call all recipients of Alberta Oil Sands wealth dirty? Heather, if you have been living off the proceeds of dirt, does that make you a dirty little…and now I am slipping and sliding into something that has been texted by Tiger Woods.

So at this point I will stop asking questions, Heather. Some day I may write a more thoughtful response to your confession that you are embarrassed to be a Canadian. In the meantime, I will be delighted to throw in 133 dollars for your application for immigration to any country that is willing to have you. If I were you Heather, I would start with Cuba and North Korea and work your way down from there. But I will be happy to throw in 133 dollars, one loony for every Canadian who has fallen in Afghanistan since our mission began there nearly eight years ago. Every one of those Canadians was proud of this country. All of them and all who came before them, fought for your right to say what you please. In honour of them, I would propose to our government that we launch a Heather Mallick in which Canadians coast to coast to coast contribute money to those Canadians too embarrassed to be called Canadian. Getting them out of the country would be the greatest social program in the history of Confederation. This chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Heather, as of today, you are the quintessential definition of weak. One very weak Canadian.

Posted at 04:05 PM

Bob Rae, just biding his time until inheriting the Liberal throne?

Has to make you wonder... From the Toronto Star... http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/733240

h/t to Dr. Roy
http://torydrroy.blogspot.com/2009/12/ndp-no-grit-leader-bob-rae.html

Sent from my Blackberry

Heather Mallick "embarrased" to be Canadian

So here's the question... will the "CANADIAN Broadcasting Corp." finally toss this woman who's "embarrassed" to be a "Canadian" out on her rear end?

I wonder how the Canadian people really feel about a CBC "journalist" insulting our nation around the world. It's one thing to say such things here at home... it's another matter entirely when you do it on the world stage... right Iggy?

It's embarrassing to be Canadian now
George Monbiot is right – Canada has become a corrupt petro-state most of us are ashamed of. But all is not lost

Heather Mallick
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 December 2009 13.00 GMT

George Monbiot wrote a real porcupine of a column this week, excoriating Canada on its failure to act on climate change. The headline read, "Canada's image lies in tatters. It is now to climate what Japan is to whaling."

Brilliant! Just what smug Canada needs, a real seeing-to by an environmental wise man. Monbiot, a hero of mine, had earlier written a toned-down piece for the leaden opinion page of Canada's dullest newspaper, the Globe and Mail. I wish he hadn't done that.

The headline was "Please, Canada, clean up your act." Canada was not now the "corrupt petro-state" of the Guardian piece. Monbiot in the local version seemed to treat Canada more like a student who had let not just himself down, but had brought sorrow to the entire school. Monbiot wanted to add his voice to those "pleading" with Canada's hard-right minority government to change its ways.

The fact is, there are many green and hopeful things to be salvaged from Canada's sorry situation and the wise Monbiot knows this.

Out of something as misty as mere indecision, Canadian voters have turned their country into a political freak show. Canada's Conservative government, run by an ideologue named Stephen Harper, does not represent Canadian voters on saving the air we breathe and temperatures we can cope with. When it comes to climate change, Canadians are as earnest and decent as they ever were.

Yes, Canada's record on carbon emissions is disgraceful, shameful, loathsome etc. The tar sands of northern Alberta are an international scandal. But the problem is not in a former Prius of a country turning into a Hummer. Canada's dilemma is much more interesting that that. It is the decline of a democracy (partly as its media died, thank you Conrad Black) and the descent of a nation into a political stasis, and it could happen to any country that doesn't mind the political store. What takes place when a nation can't decide on a government and lets a rightwing minority, quivering with hate, have just enough power?

Catastrophe, that's what.

Countries supposedly get the government they deserve. I'm not sure Canada deserved Harper. Canadians can agree with Judge Monbiot's assessment but ask the court to take into account our previous, as Rumpole would say.

First, no one disagrees more with Harper's refusal to slow climate change than Canadian voters. Indeed, more than three-quarters of Canadians say they are embarrassed that Canada hasn't taken an international lead on the issue, a recent poll revealed.

Even Albertans – home of the tar sands because they need the money and who is to say them nay – agree on this. Quebeckers, the sophisticates of the nation, are 86% in favour of Canada taking action. Toronto, while suffering economically, is maniacally devoted to hemp, bicycling and meticulous recycling rules. We hate green garbage incompetents. We love the Kyoto protocol, we want to prostrate ourselves in Copenhagen next month, but until we make our mind up about whether to make Michael Ignatieff prime minister, we can't.

May I humbly beg for patience with my country, which is stuck like a beaver in a dam of its own making.

Second, Canadians are still smart and decent. Only the government hews to the party line. On every issue, from abortion rights to rendition for torture to fair treatment of non-white citizens who had the temerity to take a holiday and can't come home because they lost weight and don't quite look like their passport photo, Harper is determined to turn Canada into America-lite. He doesn't mean the America of Obama. He means the America of Ronald Reagan and George Bush, with its private affluence and public squalor.

American travellers used to shove a Canadian flag on their backpack for better treatment overseas. I'm sorry that the reverse has happened and Canadians now switch the conversation to Obama as quickly as possibly before the subject of clubbing seals arises.

We have shamed our better natures. But we Canadians will rid ourselves of Harper and rise again to be the decent and intelligent nation you Brits once patronised with such delight.

OH SNAP! It's the Iggy Shrug!!!

From the "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!" file... looks like Iffy's metamorphasis into "Dion II" is now complete!

This unbelievable photo, capturing for the history books the final moment of the transformation process, was snapped at a press conference where Iffy was announcing that he's in support of the Tories HST implementation bill... whereas in true Dion-ian fashion, he was previously against it. (or at least MAY have been against it... we're not quite sure, as he was somewhat "Iffy" and "Dithered" on this issue too...)