Been busy so blog entries less often and this one will be short.
Private type matter successfully dealt with yesterday. Examination revealed all is ok.
Also I am happy census decision is again 'in the news'. The more it is discussed by all and assunder the more people will realize the sheer 'stupidity' of the decision to end the long form census. Let's hope public pressure will continue to build.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Public and Private Stuff
Well I for one am glad to see the gun registry survive. What is most 'heartening' was to see that those who supported the continuation of the registry seemed to all be saying it needed to be fixed. Rather than abolish it, they argue let's discuss how it can be made better. Truly a 'Canadian' solution. A solution based on men and women calmly reviewing its operation and finding ways to make it more acceptable to hunters, trappers, Aboriginal folks, and other rural people.
Really unfortunate that those who lost today don't wish to 'compromise'. Rather they wish to make this (along with others) a so-called 'wedge' issue. Canadian voters need to have a chance to say loud and clear which type of issue approach they prefer. Bring on the federal election to allow us to decide we have had enough of ideological-based public policy.
Switching gears totally, had a recent annual physical. One result is I am having a new procedure early next week. The professionals have decided to do an examination of another part of my anatomy - the bladder. From reading what I can the procedure is relatively easy to take and fortunately, requires no advanced preparation.
Really unfortunate that those who lost today don't wish to 'compromise'. Rather they wish to make this (along with others) a so-called 'wedge' issue. Canadian voters need to have a chance to say loud and clear which type of issue approach they prefer. Bring on the federal election to allow us to decide we have had enough of ideological-based public policy.
Switching gears totally, had a recent annual physical. One result is I am having a new procedure early next week. The professionals have decided to do an examination of another part of my anatomy - the bladder. From reading what I can the procedure is relatively easy to take and fortunately, requires no advanced preparation.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Saturday September 18
Followups on variety of topics today.
In my last post I said Jack Layton was wrong on the long gun registry. I now realize I may have spoken 'prematurely'. Am very glad to see his idea of 'compromise' on registry has support of vast majority of his caucus. If all signs are right, the ideologues running our government will be defeated in next Wednesday's vote on the registry. I hope all members of the Liberal and Bloc Quebecois caucus vote as predicted as will most NDP members so the registry will continue. The police community should be pleased too and they are the most affected by the registry's presence.
I have heard repeated comments that 'nobody wants a (federal) election'. Many months ago I said I did. Elections are the highest marking of a viable democracy. I do hear some people saying maybe it is time to have election. I can only echo that and say 'bring it on'.
Fully engaged in life in the great province of Saskatchewan. Having lots of contact with adult child and most of our growing group of grandsons. One sometimes forgets how 'tiring' it can be to spend time with babies. Our nearly 9 month old grandson is now finding out how to get into lots of things that can hurt him... time for 'babyproofing' lots of our townhouse. Our nearly 8 year (the one with the very ill parent) is now at a school in our area. Our adolescent just the wonderful experience of attending a concert featuring one Jusin Bieber.
Still working for the Canadian Diabetes Association in Regina telerecruiting canvassers for an early November canvass. Still delivering newspapers at an 'ungodly' time (5 AM to 7 AM) in the mornings six days a week (:-)). Also still selling Canadian Mental Health Association (Sask. Division) cash calendars. In a few weeks I may start another job - driving a van of school children to and from school five days a week.
Switching back to federal politics I see that some are musing about improving decorum of the House of Commons. Improving decorum would be good but am unsure if any of the current 'players' have the skills to make this happen. I guess only time will tell.
In my last post I said Jack Layton was wrong on the long gun registry. I now realize I may have spoken 'prematurely'. Am very glad to see his idea of 'compromise' on registry has support of vast majority of his caucus. If all signs are right, the ideologues running our government will be defeated in next Wednesday's vote on the registry. I hope all members of the Liberal and Bloc Quebecois caucus vote as predicted as will most NDP members so the registry will continue. The police community should be pleased too and they are the most affected by the registry's presence.
I have heard repeated comments that 'nobody wants a (federal) election'. Many months ago I said I did. Elections are the highest marking of a viable democracy. I do hear some people saying maybe it is time to have election. I can only echo that and say 'bring it on'.
Fully engaged in life in the great province of Saskatchewan. Having lots of contact with adult child and most of our growing group of grandsons. One sometimes forgets how 'tiring' it can be to spend time with babies. Our nearly 9 month old grandson is now finding out how to get into lots of things that can hurt him... time for 'babyproofing' lots of our townhouse. Our nearly 8 year (the one with the very ill parent) is now at a school in our area. Our adolescent just the wonderful experience of attending a concert featuring one Jusin Bieber.
Still working for the Canadian Diabetes Association in Regina telerecruiting canvassers for an early November canvass. Still delivering newspapers at an 'ungodly' time (5 AM to 7 AM) in the mornings six days a week (:-)). Also still selling Canadian Mental Health Association (Sask. Division) cash calendars. In a few weeks I may start another job - driving a van of school children to and from school five days a week.
Switching back to federal politics I see that some are musing about improving decorum of the House of Commons. Improving decorum would be good but am unsure if any of the current 'players' have the skills to make this happen. I guess only time will tell.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Various stuff
Lots of topics to 'muse' about. Gun registry is first. Don't always agree with Liberals in the past but this time Michael Ignatieff has it right. In past have ususally agreed with NDP but this time Jack Layton has it wrong.
All people in Canada in positions to know or work with gun registry seem to me to be saying it is worth keeping.. oh I did leave out one group - our ideologically/wedge driving federal government. The gun registry is a wedge issue for the Tories. But New Democrats who long pride themselves on being principled politicians are showing (in some cases) that they are just like other parties. Like many others I was most proud of their words during the War Measures Act 40 years ago... during the debates on terrorism legislation etc. etc.
The vote on september 22 is ostensibly on a private members bill.. but we know the content is certainly not a private members type of bill. I hope enough NDP members vote for the Liberal motion to save the registry by not proceeding with the private member's bill.
Hmm.. a caucus revolt against supporting professional sports franchises. Hear hear for the revolters ((:-)). Public funds should not support professional sports franchises until we reach a stage where food banks are gone as no one is hungry in our society; waiting lists for surgeries and other medical procedures no longer exists; and post-secondary education is available to all regardless of ability to pay; and poverty has ceased to exists in our society.
On this issue (alone) I find myself in agreement with the likes of Maxime Bernier (ouch!!)
Still hoping some of you consider purchasing a Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division) cash calendar. Check out their wonderful work at www.cmhask.com
All people in Canada in positions to know or work with gun registry seem to me to be saying it is worth keeping.. oh I did leave out one group - our ideologically/wedge driving federal government. The gun registry is a wedge issue for the Tories. But New Democrats who long pride themselves on being principled politicians are showing (in some cases) that they are just like other parties. Like many others I was most proud of their words during the War Measures Act 40 years ago... during the debates on terrorism legislation etc. etc.
The vote on september 22 is ostensibly on a private members bill.. but we know the content is certainly not a private members type of bill. I hope enough NDP members vote for the Liberal motion to save the registry by not proceeding with the private member's bill.
Hmm.. a caucus revolt against supporting professional sports franchises. Hear hear for the revolters ((:-)). Public funds should not support professional sports franchises until we reach a stage where food banks are gone as no one is hungry in our society; waiting lists for surgeries and other medical procedures no longer exists; and post-secondary education is available to all regardless of ability to pay; and poverty has ceased to exists in our society.
On this issue (alone) I find myself in agreement with the likes of Maxime Bernier (ouch!!)
Still hoping some of you consider purchasing a Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division) cash calendar. Check out their wonderful work at www.cmhask.com
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thursday Morning Ideas
Interesting to see our federal election prospects raised in light of latest EKSO poll. Also to hear Liberals invite NDP/Green supporters to vote Liberal to defeat Stephen Harper.
Under our system there will be 308 contests in the next election. If Canadians vote strategically (which I believe they should do in the next election) then where the Liberal candidate has the best chance of beating a Conservative, then yes NDP and Green supporters should seriously consider voting Liberal. BUT a belief in strategic voting means where the NDP stands the best chance of beating a Conservative, then Lib/Green supporters should seriously consider voting NDP. And if there is a Green candidate who has the best chance to beat a Conservative, Libearl/NDP suporters should seriously consider voting Green. This all seems to make sense to me but I worry this will not happen in all cases. All the current opposition parties should publicly declare they will respect results of any upcoming election and should a 'minority' or 'hung' Parliament result, they will seek out other parties' co-operation.
The next federal election cannot come soon enough!!
Heard this morning the TD Bank reported $1.81 billion in net income in its most recent quarter. It seems to continue to do very well thank you very much. But sort of makes one wonder whose interest they serve. We see all the 'banking can be this comfortable' ads apparently directed at customers. But are they directed at customers for customers' sake or for their shareholders.
That bank (I am sure others do too) have things like 'customer appreciation' days where they offer coffee and cake to customers. Given their huge profit margins why don't they really show customer appreciation and have 'service fee free days'. Say they pick a day when for 24 hours any transaction normally charged a fee, will be done at no charge for that day. That would REALLY show 'customer appreciation' but of course it would 'cut' in their bottom line. A financial institution that did this in Canada would, in my view, attract a lot of new customers (yours truly included).
Under our system there will be 308 contests in the next election. If Canadians vote strategically (which I believe they should do in the next election) then where the Liberal candidate has the best chance of beating a Conservative, then yes NDP and Green supporters should seriously consider voting Liberal. BUT a belief in strategic voting means where the NDP stands the best chance of beating a Conservative, then Lib/Green supporters should seriously consider voting NDP. And if there is a Green candidate who has the best chance to beat a Conservative, Libearl/NDP suporters should seriously consider voting Green. This all seems to make sense to me but I worry this will not happen in all cases. All the current opposition parties should publicly declare they will respect results of any upcoming election and should a 'minority' or 'hung' Parliament result, they will seek out other parties' co-operation.
The next federal election cannot come soon enough!!
Heard this morning the TD Bank reported $1.81 billion in net income in its most recent quarter. It seems to continue to do very well thank you very much. But sort of makes one wonder whose interest they serve. We see all the 'banking can be this comfortable' ads apparently directed at customers. But are they directed at customers for customers' sake or for their shareholders.
That bank (I am sure others do too) have things like 'customer appreciation' days where they offer coffee and cake to customers. Given their huge profit margins why don't they really show customer appreciation and have 'service fee free days'. Say they pick a day when for 24 hours any transaction normally charged a fee, will be done at no charge for that day. That would REALLY show 'customer appreciation' but of course it would 'cut' in their bottom line. A financial institution that did this in Canada would, in my view, attract a lot of new customers (yours truly included).
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