In response to this foolish bill...

Bill 9...all I can do is point to this.

Good one Jack

After several days of wondering out loud by several conservatives, and a few members of the media, the NDP decided that in order to appear consistent, they have asked the Privacy Commissioner to look into Belinda Stronach and David Emerson. You see, the NDP have been really vocal on the Emerson issue.

Of course, when it really matter, they had nothing to offer on Belinda. When the NDP needed her vote to get their side deal cut with the Liberals through the House of Commons, you see that was ok. After all the people in the Newmarket Aurora Constituency voted for a Conservative, but was alright that they got a Liberal.

So where was this petition in 2005?
"We, the undersigned, believe MP Belinda Stronach should resign and face a by-election — so Newmarket Aurora voters may decide which candidate and party will represent them in Parliament."

So Jack? Where was it? I think alone proves that this whole matter with Emerson to the NDP is nothing more than a partisan game. They did nothing when they benefited and are raising a fuss when they think it goes against them. Man I wish Bill Blakie was leading that party.

I think these guys are soldiers

Seems that CTV is stuck on trying to keep alive the myth of the Canadian "peacekeeper".

What we are doing in Afghanistan is not peacekeeping. Its more hunting terrorists while also doing some recontruction.

On the bright side, glad to see TH providing a place for the troops to go to. Hopefully they will throw in a few winning roll up the rim cups for these fine men and woman as well. If anyone should get a little extra cash, its our Armed Forces.

Support Denmark

As the cartoons still seem to be causing a little bit of fuss, I encourage people to support Denmark and if you are in Canada, buy the Western Standard (see side bar).

I did this up, if people want one for their side banner:
banner - http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3602/119/320/Support%20the%20Danes%20-%20banner.gif

Poor old Paul Martin...the spin is still coming.

From our former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin (h/t Paul Wells):
"When I learned that he had been recruited to sit as a Conservative cabinet minister only days after his election as a Liberal, I was astonished. As we have seen, members do switch political parties when they feel their values are no longer welcome in the party they ran in. My government was the beneficiary of that phenomenon on a couple of high-profile occasions. But this situation is without precedent.

"First, Mr. Harper engineered this switch after having criticized floor crossing heavily in the past.

"Second, Mr. Emerson had campaigned only days earlier against the Conservatives – using language that can only be described as categorical in its condemnation of Mr. Harper and his positions. Now as a member of Mr. Harper's government, he will not only be required to defend the policies of his department – but all the policies of a government which he has attacked in an unequivocal way as being contrary to his own principles."

Hey Paul:

First, nice to hear from you. Glad you are doing well in Europe. I may be there in a few days, perhaps we can do coffee?

Second, Ms. Stronach had voted only days earlier against the Liberals – using language that can only be described as categorical in its condemnation of yourself and your positions. Now as a member of your party, she will not only be required to defend the policies of her party – but all the policies of the now former government which she had attacked in an unequivocal way as being contrary to her own principles.

Hope that clears a few things up.

15 minutes of fame?

From the Toronto Star:

Muslim cartoon clash hits Halifax

Lecturer stirs outrage after posting drawings
In Montreal, Muslim leaders cancel protest

"In Halifax, protest organizers said they were responding to [Peter] March's decision to post three cartoons on his office door Tuesday. On Wednesday, the university ordered the images removed, citing concerns over health and safety.

The professor complied, but he revived the debate yesterday when he delivered a classroom lecture to 60 students that focused on his belief that all religions are odious and lead to war. March said academics must uphold the right of philosophers to be critical of religion. Following the lecture, Muslim students said March was mocking their beliefs.

Student Shaheen Sajan questioned March's motives. "Since this issue has come up, you have to question Peter March's credibility," she said. "He went out and gave his home address — my analysis is he's inviting aggressive behaviour. He wants his 15 minutes of fame."

I think Ms. Sajan should take a good look at her analysis. Prof. March is not inviting agressive behaviour by giving out his home address. Let us be honest, in this day and age in Canada, talking about cartoons published in the Neatherlands is something we should be able to do without fear of violence or agressive behaviour.

Emerson

I have been trying to collect my thoughts on this whole issue for sometime. As a Conservative and a conservative, who fully supported the party, I must say I am upset and angry with the Rt. Hon. Harper for bringing in the Hon. Emerson from the Liberals. I think persons like James Moore and Jay Hill earned a spot at the big table. James is an up and coming member of the Conservative Party, I think he has earned a shot and proving his worth. As the new parliament secretary for PWGSC, I think he will still be able to show the Prime Minister, that next time, he can handle himself in cabinet.

Jay Hill though the last parliament showed that he had a steady hand, and I think earned the support and respect from a lot of conservatives. As Whip, I know he will contiune to show his value to the Conservative Party. Both of these men would have done a fine job repersenting the interests of Vancouver and British Columbia in cabinet.

All that said, I am going to try and lay out the ground as both the PM and Emerson saw it. This is not to say that I agree with Harper. Only trying to put the action into some context.

PM

• Softwood lumber is a big issue in BC, where my seat count went down.
• John has a good relationship with Emerson, who was hard pressed to run for the Liberals in 2004.
• Emerson is the best guy to get a deal on Softwood Lumber, quickly. Getting softwood lumber off the table is in the best interests of Canada.
• I'll take a hit, but it should be out of the media in a few days. Olympics coming up. New parliament. It should be alright
• Emerson can repersent Vancouver, and may be he, with his business contacts, can get 2010 under control
• Emerson, whether it was Canfor or YVRAA (Ed. Vancouver is by far one of the most progressive airports in Canada), has served Canadians and British Columbians well.
• Emerson is well respected. Bright and is near the end of his political career at 60.

Emerson

• I came into politics to solve the softwood lumber issue
• It seemed that some progress was being made
• It looks like the Tories will have at least two years in power, that will make me 62 during the next election. Do I want to be in politics until I am 65-66?
• Harper is giving me a chance to finish what I started. He is showing some confidence in my abilities to solve this issue by asking me to be Min. of International Trade
• Its pretty sick to see that Liberal team in action in this election.
• May be if I joing the Conservatives, I can get this done quickly and retire from politics.

If anything, I think both men actually want to see one major issue solved. Harper for political gain in the future and end a tireless debate. Emerson, because this is the one central issue as to why he entered politics. Can I blame them? To a degree. Does it mean the end of the world? No. Will i still support the Conservatives? At the moment, yes.

The question remains, what to do about Emerson. Should he run in a by-election? As an old school sort of guy -- history degree after all -- I am not so keen on the idea of forcing by elections in these cases. One thing I was really hoping for under Harper was to see more free votes, so Canadians would be encouraged to vote for the person, not the party. It saddens me that good Canadians were defeated in the last election because they were Liberals, and that some Canadians were elected because they flew a blue flag. I think we as Canadians need to sart trying to elect the best people for the House of Commons. We will all be better off if that is the case. With a good government and strong and honourable opposition.

As for Emerson, I think he needs to find a way to account for his own actions. This is an action that must take place between him and the people of Vancouver-Kingsway. Right now there is a lot of outrage in the riding. I say give it time. He will end up facing his own record in time.

the end of a good blog

I will like post on the whole Emerson thing later...

but I must say I am sad to see Monte leave the blog world. I understand as Minister of Immigration (and Citizenship) that it was likely to end. I just wanted to give my thanks to him and other MPs that have blogged over the last little while.

Here is hoping that he does CIC well. I have faith in him.