I have nothing against women who can afford to stay home and raise their kids, or those who can follow a successful career outside their home and afford a nanny or other costly daycare. However, they are not the majority of women.The budget conjured up by Harper and Flaherty, under threat from a potential coalition government, does not address the needs of the most vulnerable, and that includes many Canadian women.The income tax cuts will mostly help fairly affluent households. Upping the "baby bonus" amounts will not address the need of affordable day care and is just another perk for …
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I have nothing against women who can afford to stay home and raise their kids, or those who can follow a successful career outside their home and afford a nanny or other costly daycare. However, they are not the majority of women.The budget conjured up by Harper and Flaherty, under threat from a potential coalition government, does not address the needs of the most vulnerable, and that includes many Canadian women.The income tax cuts will mostly help fairly affluent households. Upping the "baby bonus" amounts will not address the need of affordable day care and is just another perk for …
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CBC: Prognosis Critical Harvie Andre was one of three partisan panelists on yesterday’s Year End Political Panel on The Current. He was so over-the-top that it was hard to remember points made by others. In fact, Warren Kinsella almost sounded bashful in comparison. I was surprised that they got Peggy Nash on that panel to represent the NDP. That was actually much better than their usual “left” (NDP) stalwart and sometimes Harper cheerleader, Janice McKinnon.I used to listen to CBC Radio for most of the day and evening (combo of work and cooking) but these days I have a hard time …
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CBC: Prognosis Critical Harvie Andre was one of three partisan panelists on yesterday’s Year End Political Panel on The Current. He was so over-the-top that it was hard to remember points made by others. In fact, Warren Kinsella almost sounded bashful in comparison. I was surprised that they got Peggy Nash on that panel to represent the NDP. That was actually much better than their usual “left” (NDP) stalwart and sometimes Harper cheerleader, Janice McKinnon.I used to listen to CBC Radio for most of the day and evening (combo of work and cooking) but these days I have a hard time …
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Auld Lang SyneB from Politics ‘n Poetry tagged me in an interesting exercise consisting of writing 19 +1 things about yourself. I ended up writing a list of remarks and insights that were frankly far more personal than I intended. Perhaps it’s the time of year. This holiday has resonance as a marker of days gone by, and somehow I found myself swept with a myriad of memories of events, observations and feelings that define me. This is my list: 1. Late in my teens, I discovered that I was born two years prior to my parents being married. That was big given when I was born. I never did …
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Auld Lang SyneB from Politics ‘n Poetry tagged me in an interesting exercise consisting of writing 19 +1 things about yourself. I ended up writing a list of remarks and insights that were frankly far more personal than I intended. Perhaps it’s the time of year. This holiday has resonance as a marker of days gone by, and somehow I found myself swept with a myriad of memories of events, observations and feelings that define me. This is my list: 1. Late in my teens, I discovered that I was born two years prior to my parents being married. That was big given when I was born. I never did …
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Freedom 85I’ve been working for some four decades. Hard to believe at times and given my choices, my working days are far from over. I was tagged by my dear cyber pixie buddy fern hill of DAMMIT JANET! to take part in a blog community-building exercise that consists of listing the jobs that define you. This event is the brain child of blogger balbulican of Stageleft: Life on the Left Side.So here is my list:* baby sitter* server (catering company)* kitchen staff (Burger King)* typist (35 wpm — yeah, that bad!)* sales clerk (we actually won a car for best service at the maternity fashion …
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Freedom 85I’ve been working for some four decades. Hard to believe at times and given my choices, my working days are far from over. I was tagged by my dear cyber pixie buddy fern hill of DAMMIT JANET! to take part in a blog community-building exercise that consists of listing the jobs that define you. This event is the brain child of blogger balbulican of Stageleft: Life on the Left Side.So here is my list:* baby sitter* server (catering company)* kitchen staff (Burger King)* typist (35 wpm — yeah, that bad!)* sales clerk (we actually won a car for best service at the maternity fashion …
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Another Point of View: Crisis? What Political Crisis? In Which Deluded Universe Are We Living In?An excellent must read. And seriously, who is paying for Harper's televised crisis address that airs tonight? His party or our pocket books?Me, I rather watch the competition for Top Chef. …
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Another Point of View: Crisis? What Political Crisis? In Which Deluded Universe Are We Living In?An excellent must read. And seriously, who is paying for Harper's televised crisis address that airs tonight? His party or our pocket books?Me, I rather watch the competition for Top Chef. …
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Avoid the bait, Harper is already corneredToday’s media events revealed the CPC releasing a transcript of a phone call into the NDP’s caucus meeting teleconference that was held yesterday. The party is trying to spin some kind of scandal out of the fact that Layton revealed that they had had earlier discussions with the Bloc regarding working together in common cause. Who cares! They are both opposition parties dealing with a minority government so this is just normal procedure. This is not proof of “secret, shady meetings to reverse election results” or a plan to launch a “massive …
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Avoid the bait, Harper is already corneredToday’s media events revealed the CPC releasing a transcript of a phone call into the NDP’s caucus meeting teleconference that was held yesterday. The party is trying to spin some kind of scandal out of the fact that Layton revealed that they had had earlier discussions with the Bloc regarding working together in common cause. Who cares! They are both opposition parties dealing with a minority government so this is just normal procedure. This is not proof of “secret, shady meetings to reverse election results” or a plan to launch a “massive …
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RIP Barry E. Wright – 1951 to 2008Barry in the Oregon Food Bank WarehouseMy friend Barry passed away on Wednesday October 29, 2008 after he had gone to bed. Earlier that night was the last time he would tour the Internet discussion forums that we shared. Barry was 57 years old. Here is how Barry described himself on his profile page:I live in Portland, Oregon, USA. My profession is healthcare, currently with Providence Portland MC. Volunteer activities include the Oregon Food Bank, the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon an various Providence-sponsored events.I'm a member of the Pacific Green …
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RIP Barry E. Wright – 1951 to 2008Barry in the Oregon Food Bank WarehouseMy friend Barry passed away on Wednesday October 29, 2008 after he had gone to bed. Earlier that night was the last time he would tour the Internet discussion forums that we shared. Barry was 57 years old. Here is how Barry described himself on his profile page:I live in Portland, Oregon, USA. My profession is healthcare, currently with Providence Portland MC. Volunteer activities include the Oregon Food Bank, the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon an various Providence-sponsored events.I'm a member of the Pacific Green …
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Troy's Scribbles: Pass it alongMore racism from the RCMP. This time they lashed out against home invasion victims because they are members of the Katzie First Nation reserve in Pitt Meadows, BC. Troy provides a link to a first hand account of what happened to members of this family. The RCMP continue to call them liars. …
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Troy's Scribbles: Pass it alongMore racism from the RCMP. This time they lashed out against home invasion victims because they are members of the Katzie First Nation reserve in Pitt Meadows, BC. Troy provides a link to a first hand account of what happened to members of this family. The RCMP continue to call them liars. …
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The Galloping Beaver: Petition for justice for Robert Dziekanski"... prosecutors weren't able to meet that deadline because the material received from RCMP investigators was deemed incomplete, with a required report on the use of deadly force missing.""RCMP investigators have taken more than a year to provide Crown with the material needed to decide whether any or all of the four officers involved should be charged with Dziekanski's death."This is a disgrace and I share Alison's outrage. Here is the link to the Justice for Robert Dziekanski …
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The Galloping Beaver: Petition for justice for Robert Dziekanski"... prosecutors weren't able to meet that deadline because the material received from RCMP investigators was deemed incomplete, with a required report on the use of deadly force missing.""RCMP investigators have taken more than a year to provide Crown with the material needed to decide whether any or all of the four officers involved should be charged with Dziekanski's death."This is a disgrace and I share Alison's outrage. Here is the link to the Justice for Robert Dziekanski …
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Montreal Simon: Margaret Wente, Shaidle, and the Moral DimensionMore on waste of space Margaret Wente and her colonialist attack on our native people. …
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Montreal Simon: Margaret Wente, Shaidle, and the Moral DimensionMore on waste of space Margaret Wente and her colonialist attack on our native people. …
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Troy's Scribbles: Three former residential schools, dozens of graves: "That's an estimated 237 graves from three schools. And there were hundreds of these damned institutions in both Canada and the USA."Troy concludes:That's an estimated 237 graves from three schools. And there were hundreds of these damned institutions in both Canada and the USA.I've read correspondence between Indian Agents and their bosses in Ottawa dating back to the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s and the total disrespect shown in those letters and memos paints a very clear picture of how despicable and paternalistic their attitude …
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Troy's Scribbles: Three former residential schools, dozens of graves: "That's an estimated 237 graves from three schools. And there were hundreds of these damned institutions in both Canada and the USA."Troy concludes:That's an estimated 237 graves from three schools. And there were hundreds of these damned institutions in both Canada and the USA.I've read correspondence between Indian Agents and their bosses in Ottawa dating back to the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s and the total disrespect shown in those letters and memos paints a very clear picture of how despicable and paternalistic their attitude …
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Sudbury Against War and Occupation: Indigenous cultures rivalled those of civilizations around the globeMs. Wente's true colours were revealed yet again as she basically trumpeted European superiority to the "savages" they met in their colonial quest. Here is a brilliant rebuttal from Hayden King, a member of Beausoleil First Nation and professor of Indigenous Studies at McMaster University. …
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Sudbury Against War and Occupation: Indigenous cultures rivalled those of civilizations around the globeMs. Wente's true colours were revealed yet again as she basically trumpeted European superiority to the "savages" they met in their colonial quest. Here is a brilliant rebuttal from Hayden King, a member of Beausoleil First Nation and professor of Indigenous Studies at McMaster University. …
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Another Point of View: Coalition Opposition Needed Against Harper Agenda: "But given Canadians' resilient attachment to progressive values, this world of lowered expectations could be challenged by genuine visionary political leadership."A must read article by Murray Dobbin is profiled. I have made my comments at APOV. …
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Another Point of View: Coalition Opposition Needed Against Harper Agenda: "But given Canadians' resilient attachment to progressive values, this world of lowered expectations could be challenged by genuine visionary political leadership."A must read article by Murray Dobbin is profiled. I have made my comments at APOV. …
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Troy Thomas once again hits the nail on the head. Harper is not a friend to FN, Inuit and Aboriginal people. The sooner everyone realizes that, the sooner we can turf him out of government. Shame that LaForme's resignation didn't come before E-day. Harper figured an apology and sham commission would be enough to pass as a platform for Aboriginal issues. Troy's Scribbles: LaForme's resignsation signals exactly how much Conservative's value First Nations …
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Troy Thomas once again hits the nail on the head. Harper is not a friend to FN, Inuit and Aboriginal people. The sooner everyone realizes that, the sooner we can turf him out of government. Shame that LaForme's resignation didn't come before E-day. Harper figured an apology and sham commission would be enough to pass as a platform for Aboriginal issues. Troy's Scribbles: LaForme's resignsation signals exactly how much Conservative's value First Nations …
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Harper launches his Coffee Table BookOops, I meant election platform, one week before the election date. Globe and Mail provides a nice summary description:The document is entitled “The True North Strong and Free: Stephen Harper's plan for Canadians.” It's a slim, glossy, 41-page booklet printed in huge blue font and includes 22 colour photos of Mr. Harper.It features loads of photos of Harper being the bid daddy in the blue sweater. He wants to bring back the real meaning of patriotism to Canadians: the word derives from the Latin patria or “fatherland”.Big Daddy will kiss your …
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Harper launches his Coffee Table BookOops, I meant election platform, one week before the election date. Globe and Mail provides a nice summary description:The document is entitled “The True North Strong and Free: Stephen Harper's plan for Canadians.” It's a slim, glossy, 41-page booklet printed in huge blue font and includes 22 colour photos of Mr. Harper.It features loads of photos of Harper being the bid daddy in the blue sweater. He wants to bring back the real meaning of patriotism to Canadians: the word derives from the Latin patria or “fatherland”.Big Daddy will kiss your …
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Weasel WordsHarper’s platform is finally ready for prime time television. CTV reports:The platform also makes changes to controversial tax eligibility legislation for film projects, which had been passed in the House of Commons as part of a larger omnibus bill. The changes allowed government to have the final say on which projects qualified for the exemption, and many in the arts community said it was tantamount to censorship.The Conservatives had defended the move by saying it was designed to ensure taxpayers didn't foot the bill for pornography or for films deemed "offensive."However, …
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Weasel WordsHarper’s platform is finally ready for prime time television. CTV reports:The platform also makes changes to controversial tax eligibility legislation for film projects, which had been passed in the House of Commons as part of a larger omnibus bill. The changes allowed government to have the final say on which projects qualified for the exemption, and many in the arts community said it was tantamount to censorship.The Conservatives had defended the move by saying it was designed to ensure taxpayers didn't foot the bill for pornography or for films deemed "offensive."However, …
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I have a cold and I’m in a piss poor moodThe Winnipeg Free Press never fails to annoy me. When did it become such a right wing rag? The Winnipeg Free Press is creaming itself over how wonderful Harper was during the debate. This rag has some kind of "insiders panel" gimmick going were they are constantly polled for their opinions, which have been consistently pro-Harper:The online survey was sent to members of the Free Press Insiders panel and was conducted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.The debate's impact on voting intentions was mixed, but the Conservatives appear to have gained more …
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I have a cold and I’m in a piss poor moodThe Winnipeg Free Press never fails to annoy me. When did it become such a right wing rag? The Winnipeg Free Press is creaming itself over how wonderful Harper was during the debate. This rag has some kind of "insiders panel" gimmick going were they are constantly polled for their opinions, which have been consistently pro-Harper:The online survey was sent to members of the Free Press Insiders panel and was conducted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.The debate's impact on voting intentions was mixed, but the Conservatives appear to have gained more …
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All you "ordinary" folk who live in Toronto should check out this event. It's a fantastic line up of talent and the proceeds of the evening go to a very appealing initiative in support of using art creation to help young people living on the street.where'd that bug go?: The Artists' Other Gala (this time, they're not the waiters) …
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All you "ordinary" folk who live in Toronto should check out this event. It's a fantastic line up of talent and the proceeds of the evening go to a very appealing initiative in support of using art creation to help young people living on the street.where'd that bug go?: The Artists' Other Gala (this time, they're not the waiters) …
[Read more...]