10.30.2005
1 and 1/2 Days till another D-Day - potentially changing Canada forever
So on Tuesday morning the first report of the Gomery Inquiry is coming out, having everybody anxiously preparing for the political war that will ensue. (Extraction from CTV News)
Federal parties preparing Gomery report spin (CP)
OTTAWA — The Liberal party is preparing to return bags of cash purloined from the public purse.
Prime Minister Paul Martin is preparing a late-night huddle with a small circle of advisers on Parliament Hill on Monday. And his predecessor Jean Chretien is preparing to meet with three of his lawyers the following morning at 10 a.m. ET.
For almost two years, the country's political players awaited Justice John Gomery's report as a potentially ground-shifting moment in Canadian politics. That moment -- Tuesday morning -- is approaching fast. And they're all preparing for the fallout.
Opposition parties hope for a lurid chronicle of corruption that triggers enough public outrage to sweep the Liberal government from office. The Bloc Quebecois wants just enough outrage to sweep Quebec out of Canada. The Liberals hope to survive the wave.
Martin's inner circle gets an early glimpse at Gomery's tome late Monday -- 16 hours before its public release.That tight group of advisers will spend the ensuing hours discussing how to dismantle a political bomb.
The document is so shrouded in secrecy that those who see it Monday night will be forced to sign a confidentiality agreement.The few with access will be preparing talking points that will serve the following morning as a line of defence for the prime minister, his cabinet and Liberals across the country.
Liberal party officials say even they don't expect warning of the report's contents -- but they have their main answer prepared. Within hours or days of its release, the party plans to dip into a $750,000 trust fund it recently set aside to refund taxpayers.
"We know we will have a responsibility to reimburse the government of Canada,'' said the Liberals' national director, Steven MacKinnon. "Anyone convicted of wrongdoing -- we don't want that money. We don't want any part of it.''
The prime minister will assess the damage and decide how to respond but is expected to make a formal statement, at the very least, in the National Press Theatre near Parliament.
Several blocks away, Jean Chretien will be meeting with his lawyers. All three of his Gomery commission counsel will pore over the document in a four-hour briefing lockup for media and politicians from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET. They will take the news to their famous client, who plans to issue a public response.
Sources say the potential responses range from a statement of vindication, to a lawsuit aimed at having the report wiped off the government record and discredited. The political response might undergo some last-minute fine tuning.
But politicians of all stripes have already crafted messages based on the assumptions one might logically draw from the inquiry: the federal sponsorship program enriched the Liberal party, there were corrupt elements in the party, the corruption permeated government, several Chretien confidants had a front-row seat to it, and there was no smoking gun implicating the current or former prime minister.
Let the political spin wars begin.
Federal parties preparing Gomery report spin (CP)
OTTAWA — The Liberal party is preparing to return bags of cash purloined from the public purse.
Prime Minister Paul Martin is preparing a late-night huddle with a small circle of advisers on Parliament Hill on Monday. And his predecessor Jean Chretien is preparing to meet with three of his lawyers the following morning at 10 a.m. ET.
For almost two years, the country's political players awaited Justice John Gomery's report as a potentially ground-shifting moment in Canadian politics. That moment -- Tuesday morning -- is approaching fast. And they're all preparing for the fallout.
Opposition parties hope for a lurid chronicle of corruption that triggers enough public outrage to sweep the Liberal government from office. The Bloc Quebecois wants just enough outrage to sweep Quebec out of Canada. The Liberals hope to survive the wave.
Martin's inner circle gets an early glimpse at Gomery's tome late Monday -- 16 hours before its public release.That tight group of advisers will spend the ensuing hours discussing how to dismantle a political bomb.
The document is so shrouded in secrecy that those who see it Monday night will be forced to sign a confidentiality agreement.The few with access will be preparing talking points that will serve the following morning as a line of defence for the prime minister, his cabinet and Liberals across the country.
Liberal party officials say even they don't expect warning of the report's contents -- but they have their main answer prepared. Within hours or days of its release, the party plans to dip into a $750,000 trust fund it recently set aside to refund taxpayers.
"We know we will have a responsibility to reimburse the government of Canada,'' said the Liberals' national director, Steven MacKinnon. "Anyone convicted of wrongdoing -- we don't want that money. We don't want any part of it.''
The prime minister will assess the damage and decide how to respond but is expected to make a formal statement, at the very least, in the National Press Theatre near Parliament.
Several blocks away, Jean Chretien will be meeting with his lawyers. All three of his Gomery commission counsel will pore over the document in a four-hour briefing lockup for media and politicians from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET. They will take the news to their famous client, who plans to issue a public response.
Sources say the potential responses range from a statement of vindication, to a lawsuit aimed at having the report wiped off the government record and discredited. The political response might undergo some last-minute fine tuning.
But politicians of all stripes have already crafted messages based on the assumptions one might logically draw from the inquiry: the federal sponsorship program enriched the Liberal party, there were corrupt elements in the party, the corruption permeated government, several Chretien confidants had a front-row seat to it, and there was no smoking gun implicating the current or former prime minister.
Let the political spin wars begin.
10.25.2005
The Liberals...
10.18.2005
My Wish List
So now that Chad's Birthday has past (as of yesterday) I have begun to reflect upon my own. So for all you keeners out there...here is a list of items you may give me for a present. Let's just say that what you give me will determine how nice I am to you for the rest of the year:
KARLANDA Armchair (Ikea)
Price: $599.00
Comments: Polyurethane foam wrappedin polyester fibres gives soft, comfortable cushions. Easy to keep clean with removable, dry clean only cover. For use in bedroom as a study chair.
Money (Any Major Bank)
Price: Depending on Person
Comment: Preferrably in large cash denominations. US Dollars greatly accepted but not Monopoly, Life, or any other game money. Must be real....
DCR413BSL 4.3 Cubit Foot Bar Fridge (Home Depot)
Price: $198.00
Comments: Is your Refrigerator filled to the brim? Do you have trouble finding space for beverages while entertaining? This stylish compact counter-high fridge will provide plenty of extra refrigeration. Suitable for a web-bar, playroom or den this fridge is small enough to be inconspicuous but large enough to serve your guests. Also includes a compact freezer section with ice cube tray.
Ash Wood Flooring
Price: $500 upwards
Comments: Because of the recent renovations in my room, my strange light blue carpet that has paint spots on it doesn't really match...I figure that hard wood floor is the way to go...classy.
My room is 9' by 10'
Jerry/Gas Can (Available almost everywhere)
Price: $Less than 20 bucks
Comments: What better way to cash in on good gas prices than to take an extra tank with me!
(Note: must come with included spout and hose in order to prevent the opportunity to spill.)
Stretch Mid-Weight Men's 1-Piece Thermal Bodysuit Underwear (Sears)
Price: $40.00
Size: 33
Comments: Good for all these cold winter days coming up. Also doubles as speed-skating outfit and snow camoflouge suit. Note: Model not wanted.
24 Season 4 Box Set
Price: $45-70
Release Date: December 6, 2005
Comments: How can you go wrong???!!! It looks soooo good! I can't wait to watch it!
Darkstar Skateboard (West 49)
Price: $89.99 Board + Classic K Red Kryptonic Wheels $26.99 + Royal 5.0 Silver Truck $39.95
Comments: To make the 15 minute walk to the busstop a little easier and less time consuming.
Freddy the 3rd (Any Pet Store)
Price: $10, maybe.
Comment: Red Beta Fish. Have aquarium, food and all other equipment. Need to replace old one. Preferably disease free and a purebread. Needs to be trained for fighting but not damaged from other previous fights.
One-of-a-kind Floating Cube Water Wall
Price: Priceless
Comments: Located at Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1 - wanted for North wall of my room. Water should be included - can't afford to pay more than $50 a month for water alone.
Umbrella
Price: Under $10
Comments: Too come to good use to keep me dry from the rain which has consistently been falling for the past week. This will also save the amount of laundry I will have to do.... (Note: Preferrably not made from paper)
ECHO Cologne by Davidoff
Price: $80 ($100 with tax)
Comments: Running low...such a good smell. If you want to find out more check out the website at:
http://www.davidoff.com/echo/man.htm
Anyways, so that is all for now, I hope to update the list as time goes on. Until then, peace.
KARLANDA Armchair (Ikea)
Price: $599.00
Comments: Polyurethane foam wrappedin polyester fibres gives soft, comfortable cushions. Easy to keep clean with removable, dry clean only cover. For use in bedroom as a study chair.
Money (Any Major Bank)
Price: Depending on Person
Comment: Preferrably in large cash denominations. US Dollars greatly accepted but not Monopoly, Life, or any other game money. Must be real....
DCR413BSL 4.3 Cubit Foot Bar Fridge (Home Depot)
Price: $198.00
Comments: Is your Refrigerator filled to the brim? Do you have trouble finding space for beverages while entertaining? This stylish compact counter-high fridge will provide plenty of extra refrigeration. Suitable for a web-bar, playroom or den this fridge is small enough to be inconspicuous but large enough to serve your guests. Also includes a compact freezer section with ice cube tray.
Ash Wood Flooring
Price: $500 upwards
Comments: Because of the recent renovations in my room, my strange light blue carpet that has paint spots on it doesn't really match...I figure that hard wood floor is the way to go...classy.
My room is 9' by 10'
Jerry/Gas Can (Available almost everywhere)
Price: $Less than 20 bucks
Comments: What better way to cash in on good gas prices than to take an extra tank with me!
(Note: must come with included spout and hose in order to prevent the opportunity to spill.)
Stretch Mid-Weight Men's 1-Piece Thermal Bodysuit Underwear (Sears)Price: $40.00
Size: 33
Comments: Good for all these cold winter days coming up. Also doubles as speed-skating outfit and snow camoflouge suit. Note: Model not wanted.
24 Season 4 Box Set
Price: $45-70
Release Date: December 6, 2005
Comments: How can you go wrong???!!! It looks soooo good! I can't wait to watch it!
Darkstar Skateboard (West 49)
Price: $89.99 Board + Classic K Red Kryptonic Wheels $26.99 + Royal 5.0 Silver Truck $39.95
Comments: To make the 15 minute walk to the busstop a little easier and less time consuming.
Freddy the 3rd (Any Pet Store)Price: $10, maybe.
Comment: Red Beta Fish. Have aquarium, food and all other equipment. Need to replace old one. Preferably disease free and a purebread. Needs to be trained for fighting but not damaged from other previous fights.
One-of-a-kind Floating Cube Water Wall
Price: Priceless
Comments: Located at Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1 - wanted for North wall of my room. Water should be included - can't afford to pay more than $50 a month for water alone.
Umbrella
Price: Under $10
Comments: Too come to good use to keep me dry from the rain which has consistently been falling for the past week. This will also save the amount of laundry I will have to do.... (Note: Preferrably not made from paper)
ECHO Cologne by Davidoff
Price: $80 ($100 with tax)
Comments: Running low...such a good smell. If you want to find out more check out the website at:
http://www.davidoff.com/echo/man.htm
Anyways, so that is all for now, I hope to update the list as time goes on. Until then, peace.
10.15.2005
Viruses and Trojan Horses
So for the past week I have been busying myself with an all out battle against viruses and trojan horses that have reaked havoc on my poor little computer. finally, today i had enough of it and erased my entire computer. it was quite a struggle and Strong Bad provides a glimpse into what I had to deal with this week."What is this? Did the quadratic formula explode? I see a 'Strong ba' in there, but it's getting eaten by some... Linux or something. Wait a minute! Is this one of those virus emails? Like the kind that moms and offshore casinos send you?! I'll take
care of this! Maybe I should introduce you to my main man, Edgar! (Virus Software). Scan Complete! 423, 827Viruses Found! Waaugh! That is not a small number! That is
a big number!! What'm I gonna do? What...computer over?
Virus equals very yes? That's not a good prize! Uhhh, noo...."
(Check out the full clip at: http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail118.html)
10.12.2005
So the guys in my dorm were bored tonight and decided to make some trading cards...of us. Ya...the creativity even amazes me. Way to much on time on their hands. You would think they had school work to do...obviously they aren't business or political science majors.
10.07.2005
The Funniest Thing I Have Ever Seen
Check out this video. I have never laughed so much in my life!
http://www.extremefunnyhumor.com/vids/pooljump.mpeg
http://www.extremefunnyhumor.com/vids/pooljump.mpeg
10.01.2005
Western Separatism must be taken seriously...(Article by Charles Adler)
In a charlesadler.com poll, 52 percent of respondents said that once the western separatist movement has a credible leader, it will take off like a prairie fire. The conversation was reignited because of a national post front page story that said fully 36 percent of voters in western canada under the age of 30 were open to the idea of separating their province from Canada...in my poll i asked several questions including this one? is separatism just a topic for kooks. Only 5 percent said it was.
For what it's worth, over 250 people voted in the poll, a sampling not any smaller than most national polls...One can argue about the accuracy of polls. But based on emails received one can no longer argue that separatism is something talked about only by kooks and fruit loops and other names that you want to use to label folks living on the margins of society and sanity.
If this subject isn't taken seriously by the feds, Canada will be the loser. The damage that the Martin government is doing to many people's sense of what Canada really is about, is astounding. Many people in Western Canada feel that a not so silent coup has taken place and that the country is run by a handful of pseudo intellectuals based in Canada's political triangle formed by Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. If this feeling continues to deepen and a credible leader speaks to the feeling, it won't matter how many national pundits try to hang pejorative labels on Western Canadians....The more confident westerners become about their own possibilities and potential, the less interested they will be in hearing the pontificaitons of the national politicians and pundits.
A prairie fire can look like a pretty thing, unless you're a blade of wheat. There is a lot of Canadan wheat in the field. But there appears to be a drought of national dialogue. You don't have to be a farmer to know that droughts threaten crops. That's PrimeChuck. I'm CA
For what it's worth, over 250 people voted in the poll, a sampling not any smaller than most national polls...One can argue about the accuracy of polls. But based on emails received one can no longer argue that separatism is something talked about only by kooks and fruit loops and other names that you want to use to label folks living on the margins of society and sanity.
If this subject isn't taken seriously by the feds, Canada will be the loser. The damage that the Martin government is doing to many people's sense of what Canada really is about, is astounding. Many people in Western Canada feel that a not so silent coup has taken place and that the country is run by a handful of pseudo intellectuals based in Canada's political triangle formed by Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. If this feeling continues to deepen and a credible leader speaks to the feeling, it won't matter how many national pundits try to hang pejorative labels on Western Canadians....The more confident westerners become about their own possibilities and potential, the less interested they will be in hearing the pontificaitons of the national politicians and pundits.
A prairie fire can look like a pretty thing, unless you're a blade of wheat. There is a lot of Canadan wheat in the field. But there appears to be a drought of national dialogue. You don't have to be a farmer to know that droughts threaten crops. That's PrimeChuck. I'm CA
