The idea was a pretty impressive plan, bring together some of the world's baseball superpowers for a seventeen day tournament in March. A wonderful diversion from the harsh March climate and a guaranteed television ratings winner world wide. The winning team able to lay claim as the world's premiere baseball nation.
Originally sixteen teams were named to the World Cup style pool system, working their way through the four different groups to the tournament final. Baseball nations such as Japan, The United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Korea, Dominican Republic and others where Major League Baseball mines it's players of today, were invited to assemble their best and send them off to do battle.
But as of today, one nation won't be stepping into the batters box on March 3rd, the United States government has decided to not issue travel permits for Cuba to send it's players to the inaugural tournament. The US Treasury department, citing the current trade embargo against the Communist nation has refused to allow players from the island nation to enter the USA, causing a few headaches for Baseball Classic officials and denying baseball fans the chance to see one of the top baseball producing nations send their best.
The joint venture between Major League Baseball and the Players Association had hoped to capture some of the excitement that the World Cup of Hockey and the grand daddy of World Tournaments the World Cup of Soccer generate. And it really should be a rather exciting spectacle considering the number of Non-Americans that make a career out of professional baseball.
The issue may not be final just yet though, within hours of the announcement from the Treasury Department the lobbying for it's reversal had already begun. A number of US congressmen and Senators vowed to try and make sure the World Baseball Classic included a team from Cuba.
The American position seems rather hypocritical as they don't ban Cuban teams from Internationally sanctioned events held in their country such as the Olympics or Pan Am games, for they know if they did they would never host another international event again.
It would be a welcome change for pace for the US, to officially accept Cuban participation in their national past time, especially since a good number of Cubans over the years have provided some spectacular moments for baseball. To exclude them from participation in the World Baseball Classic would only highlight their narrow mindedness and diminish the credibility of the tournament.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Pictures of Podunk: The Prince Rupert Yacht Club docks
Some of the boats at the Prince Rupert Yacht Club. Fall and Winter don't have quite the same volume as the summer months, but it's still a rather busy place to be. Located in the Cow Bay area it's home to many an adventurer.Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Christmas caroling with Scott Reid and the Liberal chorale
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you, Scott Reid with his wandering minstrels and singers, ready to regale you with this all time Christmas favourite. (Ralph Goodale and John Embury will be touring senior citizens homes this week as well, taking the Liberal spirit to our seniors, with their own special songs!)
We see that.............
Longtime Podunkians or those that lived here in the nineties will recognize those three words as the key catch phrase of the newspaper Prince Rupert This Week. Back in the early nineties, those three little words would catch the attention of many a Podunkian, some were the subjects, others observers, but everyone was a reader of that column.
We mention that, because we saw yesterday in the Daily Podunkian that former This Week editor Gerry Deiter passed away in Victoria over the weekend. The journalist/photographer who was still involved in the media at the age of 70, suffered a heart attack on a sidewalk of the capital city and could not be revived.
Deiter, arrived for good in Canada from the US in the seventies, he probably is best known nationally and internationally for his pictures of the John and Yoko bed in for peace in 1969. As it happens at the time of his passing, those same pictures are part of a display of Lennon photo’s currently showing at the Royal Museum of BC. (His photos of the John Lennon/Yoko Ono bed in can be found at this link).They take the form of pubic testimony to his place in the lore of pop culture.
But in Prince Rupert, he’ll probably be best remembered for his newspaper skills and in providing one of the few successful attempts at taking on the Daily News. This Week launched like nothing seen here before, it was a lively upbeat weekly, which realizing the limitations of a weekly press run, featured a heavy dose of commentary, in depth feature articles and an arts and entertainment section that reflected a vibrant arts scene in the community. The arrival of This Week shook up the media scene in the nineties with its flashy graphics and well written articles, it was part Bohemian escape and part Front Page, the employees believing they were changing the media landscape here.
But it was, The We see feature that was of particular interest to the people of Podunk, it was like being a barfly at your favourite watering hole catching up on the local trade of gossip. It did however cause controversy from time to time; many an angry phone call was directed to the This Week offices in complaint of an appearance in the feature. But as they say, if they're talking about you, they're probably reading you!
As time would move along, the feature became much tamer and less salacious, which coincided in the papers evolution into really just another paper, not breaking news anymore, at times seeming to go through the motions. It still however caused enough concern at the Daily, that they used that long time business strategy of if you can’t beat them, buy them. Deiter himself recounted those halcyon days of journalism for the Straight Goods website in November of this year. And while his hyperbole of suggesting they were the paper of record after three weeks probably isn't quite correct, they did in the long run give the Daily a good run for its money.
From the day of the purchase though, the journalistic spirit of that publication was gone. It eventually morphed into the Extra of today, which makes for a lovely wrapper of flyers and not much more. Deiter had long since sailed off on his boat for Victoria and his table at the Swans pub, where he held court for many years. He no doubt spent a few hours recounting his days on the North Coast and his contribution to the journalistic scene here.
Since that day competitors for the Daily News have come and gone over the years, but none have been able to capture the life that Deiter brought to the newspaper scene here for that brief period of time. We see that the Dieter story in the Daily was placed on the last page of the paper; we suspect that Mr. Deiter would get a chuckle out of the placement! On Monday, it would be the last thing someone would read before they put their paper away, he’d probably enjoy being the final article of the day’s press run.
We mention that, because we saw yesterday in the Daily Podunkian that former This Week editor Gerry Deiter passed away in Victoria over the weekend. The journalist/photographer who was still involved in the media at the age of 70, suffered a heart attack on a sidewalk of the capital city and could not be revived.
Deiter, arrived for good in Canada from the US in the seventies, he probably is best known nationally and internationally for his pictures of the John and Yoko bed in for peace in 1969. As it happens at the time of his passing, those same pictures are part of a display of Lennon photo’s currently showing at the Royal Museum of BC. (His photos of the John Lennon/Yoko Ono bed in can be found at this link).They take the form of pubic testimony to his place in the lore of pop culture.
But in Prince Rupert, he’ll probably be best remembered for his newspaper skills and in providing one of the few successful attempts at taking on the Daily News. This Week launched like nothing seen here before, it was a lively upbeat weekly, which realizing the limitations of a weekly press run, featured a heavy dose of commentary, in depth feature articles and an arts and entertainment section that reflected a vibrant arts scene in the community. The arrival of This Week shook up the media scene in the nineties with its flashy graphics and well written articles, it was part Bohemian escape and part Front Page, the employees believing they were changing the media landscape here.
But it was, The We see feature that was of particular interest to the people of Podunk, it was like being a barfly at your favourite watering hole catching up on the local trade of gossip. It did however cause controversy from time to time; many an angry phone call was directed to the This Week offices in complaint of an appearance in the feature. But as they say, if they're talking about you, they're probably reading you!
As time would move along, the feature became much tamer and less salacious, which coincided in the papers evolution into really just another paper, not breaking news anymore, at times seeming to go through the motions. It still however caused enough concern at the Daily, that they used that long time business strategy of if you can’t beat them, buy them. Deiter himself recounted those halcyon days of journalism for the Straight Goods website in November of this year. And while his hyperbole of suggesting they were the paper of record after three weeks probably isn't quite correct, they did in the long run give the Daily a good run for its money.
From the day of the purchase though, the journalistic spirit of that publication was gone. It eventually morphed into the Extra of today, which makes for a lovely wrapper of flyers and not much more. Deiter had long since sailed off on his boat for Victoria and his table at the Swans pub, where he held court for many years. He no doubt spent a few hours recounting his days on the North Coast and his contribution to the journalistic scene here.
Since that day competitors for the Daily News have come and gone over the years, but none have been able to capture the life that Deiter brought to the newspaper scene here for that brief period of time. We see that the Dieter story in the Daily was placed on the last page of the paper; we suspect that Mr. Deiter would get a chuckle out of the placement! On Monday, it would be the last thing someone would read before they put their paper away, he’d probably enjoy being the final article of the day’s press run.
He's but one vote, but sure carries a lot of weight.
He's lost his bully pulpit as he liked to call the cut and thrust of the radio talk show wars. But Rafe Mair has not gone away to quiet woods to reflect and snore. Mair who has held down a post at the Tyee for a while now has weighed in on the Federal Election campaign and the word is good for the Green Party.
Mair crtiques each of the major parties in his article for the Tyee and lands some pretty good blows to all three of our main federal leaders. He succinctly identifies the things that worry most Canadians about each party, their platforms and supporters. Leaving only the Green Party as one in which he feels his vote can be entrusted to.
It in reality probably won't translate into much in the way of votes, but it surely goes a long way in getting the Party's message out to a wider audience. There are still many British Coulmbians who count on Rafe Mair's observations to guide them along a path in the province. Some of them probably couldn't find a Green party candidate to save their souls, but if Rafe says they're fine folk, then they'll get a few votes.
If there is a spike in the Green vote in the tony Shaughnessy neighbourhood or in the estates of British Properties, the local Green candidate can put it down to the Mair effect!
Mair crtiques each of the major parties in his article for the Tyee and lands some pretty good blows to all three of our main federal leaders. He succinctly identifies the things that worry most Canadians about each party, their platforms and supporters. Leaving only the Green Party as one in which he feels his vote can be entrusted to.
It in reality probably won't translate into much in the way of votes, but it surely goes a long way in getting the Party's message out to a wider audience. There are still many British Coulmbians who count on Rafe Mair's observations to guide them along a path in the province. Some of them probably couldn't find a Green party candidate to save their souls, but if Rafe says they're fine folk, then they'll get a few votes.
If there is a spike in the Green vote in the tony Shaughnessy neighbourhood or in the estates of British Properties, the local Green candidate can put it down to the Mair effect!
Monday, December 12, 2005
Pampers and a 2-4 please
The Young Conservatives are having some fun with the verbal faux pas of the suddenly old looking Liberal apparatchiks today.
Their young Conservative blog site makes quick work of the Liberal view of Canada's parenting class.
Their young Conservative blog site makes quick work of the Liberal view of Canada's parenting class.
Big Bert on the Block?
Vancouver Canuck fans woke this morning to a heartfelt conversation between their lumbering hulk Todd Bertuzzi and the Canucks’ host broadcaster John Shorthouse. It seems that Bertuzzi was concerned about an Ed Willes column in Sunday’s Vancouver Province, which basically claimed that Bertuzzi had demanded a trade and no longer got along with head coach Marc Crawford.
The on air interview which aired repeatedly (listen here) on both CKNW and MOJO through most of the day’s sports casts, had a soft spoken Bertuzzi claiming nothing but love for Vancouver, for his team mates and for his coach. No demands for a trade said Bert; he has work to finish in Vancouver.
As the heart strings were being tugged in Vancouver, over on the other side of the country the FAN 590 was fanning the rumors of trade. Bob McCown’s show Prime Time Sports spent a bit of time on the Bertuzzi rumor, suggesting that he might be New York Ranger bound. This week’s co-host Jim Kelly observed that the Canuck’s power forward hasn’t exactly been setting the hockey world on fire these days and could very well be on the block.
The most unlikely name floated for a possible trade, was that of Zdeno Chara of the Ottawa Senators, perhaps based on his performance in Vancouver on Friday night. Though one wonders why the Senators would be interested in trading a key component of their team such as Chara. More likely to be used as trade bait on the Sens might be Chris Phillips, who tends to be overshadowed these days on the blue line by both Chara and Wade Redden. Though even he is pretty important to the Senators line up and it would have to be a solid improvement for the Sens to let Phillips go. Considering Bertuzzi’s inconsistency so far this year, that’s not a trade John Muckler, is likely to make.
Bertuzzi has had Vancouver fans scratching their heads all season long; many a talk show has had phone calls wondering when Big Bert is going to turn it up a notch for good this year. He’s had good games and bad ones this year, which gives him a lot in common with his team mates. In some he's coasted at times through the games, a presence on the ice but not necessarily on the scoreboard. Like Clark Gilles of the old Islander days, he seems to only become dangerous when he’s banged around a bit. So far most teams playing the Canucks have been content to let the giant sleep. It's that inability to put his game in gear on a nightly basis that has his name on the trade rumor list now.
It’s indicative of the passion for hockey in Vancouver these days that the rumors even get started. Every little word or expression from a Canuck is subject to investigation and commentary. The Province regularly stirs the pot and gets the Canuck dressing room excited about some issue of the day. This time it was a suggestion that the Canuck’s winger is causing more problems than he’s solving in Vancouver. A suggestion that has had the sports talk shows of Vancouver busy all day long. To get a sample of the buzz on this story check out the CKNW website and it's audio vault , the Dan Russell sportstalk show from 9-12 pm, covered the situation fully.
How the team bands together in aid of their fellow Canuck will be interesting to watch, coaches and GM’s always hope to build up an Us against them relationship between their team and the outside world. It was something that former GM Brian Burke cultivated with great success. The Willes article in the Province on Sunday may have done current GM Dave Nonis a great favor, in one column the underperforming Bertuzzi may have been stirred to action.
Tuesday night the Rangers face the Canucks; it could be a night that sees Bertuzzi begin to reclaim that form that made him a crowd favorite a few seasons ago. If not, the trade rumors will not only continue they’ll become louder and louder with each passing game.
The above post first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
The on air interview which aired repeatedly (listen here) on both CKNW and MOJO through most of the day’s sports casts, had a soft spoken Bertuzzi claiming nothing but love for Vancouver, for his team mates and for his coach. No demands for a trade said Bert; he has work to finish in Vancouver.
As the heart strings were being tugged in Vancouver, over on the other side of the country the FAN 590 was fanning the rumors of trade. Bob McCown’s show Prime Time Sports spent a bit of time on the Bertuzzi rumor, suggesting that he might be New York Ranger bound. This week’s co-host Jim Kelly observed that the Canuck’s power forward hasn’t exactly been setting the hockey world on fire these days and could very well be on the block.
The most unlikely name floated for a possible trade, was that of Zdeno Chara of the Ottawa Senators, perhaps based on his performance in Vancouver on Friday night. Though one wonders why the Senators would be interested in trading a key component of their team such as Chara. More likely to be used as trade bait on the Sens might be Chris Phillips, who tends to be overshadowed these days on the blue line by both Chara and Wade Redden. Though even he is pretty important to the Senators line up and it would have to be a solid improvement for the Sens to let Phillips go. Considering Bertuzzi’s inconsistency so far this year, that’s not a trade John Muckler, is likely to make.
Bertuzzi has had Vancouver fans scratching their heads all season long; many a talk show has had phone calls wondering when Big Bert is going to turn it up a notch for good this year. He’s had good games and bad ones this year, which gives him a lot in common with his team mates. In some he's coasted at times through the games, a presence on the ice but not necessarily on the scoreboard. Like Clark Gilles of the old Islander days, he seems to only become dangerous when he’s banged around a bit. So far most teams playing the Canucks have been content to let the giant sleep. It's that inability to put his game in gear on a nightly basis that has his name on the trade rumor list now.
It’s indicative of the passion for hockey in Vancouver these days that the rumors even get started. Every little word or expression from a Canuck is subject to investigation and commentary. The Province regularly stirs the pot and gets the Canuck dressing room excited about some issue of the day. This time it was a suggestion that the Canuck’s winger is causing more problems than he’s solving in Vancouver. A suggestion that has had the sports talk shows of Vancouver busy all day long. To get a sample of the buzz on this story check out the CKNW website and it's audio vault , the Dan Russell sportstalk show from 9-12 pm, covered the situation fully.
How the team bands together in aid of their fellow Canuck will be interesting to watch, coaches and GM’s always hope to build up an Us against them relationship between their team and the outside world. It was something that former GM Brian Burke cultivated with great success. The Willes article in the Province on Sunday may have done current GM Dave Nonis a great favor, in one column the underperforming Bertuzzi may have been stirred to action.
Tuesday night the Rangers face the Canucks; it could be a night that sees Bertuzzi begin to reclaim that form that made him a crowd favorite a few seasons ago. If not, the trade rumors will not only continue they’ll become louder and louder with each passing game.
The above post first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
Greens, Grits, Lay down your swords!
If Nathan Cullen has his way, the Skeena-Bulkley Valley campaign will be nothing but a two man race. In today's Daily Podunkian, the NDP candidate and current MP suggests that those followers of the Green Party and the Liberal Party should throw their towels into the NDP pile for this election campaign.
Cullen's fear is that the supporters of the other two parties will split the vote in separate directions, allowing Conservative candidate and former Reformer Mike Scott to reclaim the riding for the forces of the right. It's kind of the reverse theory that the Liberals (and a certain high profile union leader from Ontario) have been using in the rest of the country, where they urge staunch NDPers to abandon the sons and daughters of Douglas, Lewis and Woodsworth for the comfort zone of the ruling party.
Cullen is most likely correct in his analysis thus far, Scott probably would benefit from strong campaigns from the Green and Liberal candidates. But he may have to wait for that plan to come together. So far, it's been a rather invisible campaign for all concerned.
Only recently has Cullen opened up a storefront in Prince Rupert, taking over the offices formerly used by the Rendell for mayor campaign (one assumes an exorcism was held to rid the room of the bad vote count vibes). The Greenies, Libs and Conservatives have yet to make any kind of an appearance in the Rupert portion of the riding. It's as if this campaign has yet to officially get under way in the coastal regions.
With the exception of the usual finger pointing about the NDP candidate being too close to the environmentalists or the Conservative guy being in bed with the capitalists and big business barons, there's been precious little in excitement thus far on the north coast and places eastbound in this version of political survivor.
Perhaps there has been an unofficial agreement against outright politicking so far, as there's not much in the way of indication that an election is underway locally. Lawn signs those traditional billboards of political quest, have yet to be seen popping up amongst the Santa's, Angels and Nativity scenes around town. Newspapers too seem to be facing a shortage of election advertising so far, no half page appeals for common good, nor business cards of support solicited can be found to date.
As Christmas moves upon us fast, the local version of election 2006 will certainly not be the two phase project of other parts of Canada. Here in Skeena-Bulkley Valley it seems the real politicking is not to take place until after the Christmas Tree has come down and the last strain of Auld Lang Syne has drifted away.
The politicians had best hope that the electorate don't take that first line to heart as voting day comes up.
Cullen's fear is that the supporters of the other two parties will split the vote in separate directions, allowing Conservative candidate and former Reformer Mike Scott to reclaim the riding for the forces of the right. It's kind of the reverse theory that the Liberals (and a certain high profile union leader from Ontario) have been using in the rest of the country, where they urge staunch NDPers to abandon the sons and daughters of Douglas, Lewis and Woodsworth for the comfort zone of the ruling party.
Cullen is most likely correct in his analysis thus far, Scott probably would benefit from strong campaigns from the Green and Liberal candidates. But he may have to wait for that plan to come together. So far, it's been a rather invisible campaign for all concerned.
Only recently has Cullen opened up a storefront in Prince Rupert, taking over the offices formerly used by the Rendell for mayor campaign (one assumes an exorcism was held to rid the room of the bad vote count vibes). The Greenies, Libs and Conservatives have yet to make any kind of an appearance in the Rupert portion of the riding. It's as if this campaign has yet to officially get under way in the coastal regions.
With the exception of the usual finger pointing about the NDP candidate being too close to the environmentalists or the Conservative guy being in bed with the capitalists and big business barons, there's been precious little in excitement thus far on the north coast and places eastbound in this version of political survivor.
Perhaps there has been an unofficial agreement against outright politicking so far, as there's not much in the way of indication that an election is underway locally. Lawn signs those traditional billboards of political quest, have yet to be seen popping up amongst the Santa's, Angels and Nativity scenes around town. Newspapers too seem to be facing a shortage of election advertising so far, no half page appeals for common good, nor business cards of support solicited can be found to date.
As Christmas moves upon us fast, the local version of election 2006 will certainly not be the two phase project of other parts of Canada. Here in Skeena-Bulkley Valley it seems the real politicking is not to take place until after the Christmas Tree has come down and the last strain of Auld Lang Syne has drifted away.
The politicians had best hope that the electorate don't take that first line to heart as voting day comes up.
Pictures of Podunk: The Rupert Square Mall
Prince Rupert's main shopping destination, the Rupert Square Mall. Located in the downtown area the Upper Parking lot actually has a pretty amazing view of the harbour. Inside, there are a couple of chain stores and more than a fair share of empty spaces at the moment. It will be interesting to watch how the mall fares when the big box stores come a calling on the highway in the next year!Sunday, December 11, 2005
A most Liberal Nanny.
Do Uncle Paulie and his helpers really know best?
I’m not sure whether Scott Reid has seen too much of the Trailer Park Boys on TV or has sat through one to many showings of Bob and Doug McKenzie, but his impression of his fellow Canadians and their parenting skills leaves a lot to be desired.
Reid, the communications director for the Prime Minister did a little mis-communicating on behalf of his boss this weekend with his out loud thoughts on our suitability to be parents. Reid found himself in hot water when he was pooh poohing the Conservative ideas on the daycare situation, suggesting that should the great unwashed of Canada be left to their own devices, they would probably end up buying beer and popcorn with any money supposedly destined for the young ones.
Now while most Canadians probably wouldn’t turn down a brew if offered and everyone loves popcorn, one suspects that the vast majority of the nation’s parents can make a suitable choice when it comes down to bread or beer. Pampers or Pilsner? Well it’s a safe bet that in most cases the nation’s toddlers will be freshly powdered before we sit down to our six packs of beer and trough of popcorn at night. In Reid's world it seems that the whole family unit is destined to deteriorate into Home Alone, unless the Liberals have a say in how the family cash is spent.
The arrogance of the Liberal leader’s spokesman has put his boss in a rather tight spot. All of a sudden the Liberals once again come out sounding like they know better than the people they supposedly are here to serve. Making matters even worse, Reids' statements were later backed by one of Paul Martin's senior advisors John Duffy, providing two smacks on the bottoms for our vociferous little voters today.
Reid’s faux pas comes hot on the heels of a similar mis-statement by Ralph Goodales Communication director,John Embury, who last week described the director of public policy for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons as “old and confused”. It was a comment which he, like Reid in this case, was quick to offer up an apology over.
The damage though may already be done, in less than a week the Liberals have come across as know it all smart asses. A group of folks who seem to think that they and they alone, know what’s best for the country and those inconvenient little obstacles to power, the run of the mill voter. These litte side trips are tending to take them off message and leave an opportunity for the Conservartives to try and claw back some of the voter numbers.
They seem to forget that those same people that will receive the day care monies, also pay the taxes that make the government run in the first place. It's not quite clear how we're not to be trusted to spend our own money.
However, despite their many verbal miscues, they still hold a fairly solid lead on their competition, but they had best reign in their press hacks quickly before any real damage sets in.
So far they’ve ostracized the seniors, the near seniors and parents. They’re not leaving much in the way of wriggle room for potential voter turn out. Young, urban, single, gay and child less folks may be the only constituency left for them, by the time their spokespeople are finished spreading the good word.
Perhaps it’s time for the actual politicians to do some of the talking; surely they can’t inflict any more damage on their campaigns than those they pay to talk for them!
I’m not sure whether Scott Reid has seen too much of the Trailer Park Boys on TV or has sat through one to many showings of Bob and Doug McKenzie, but his impression of his fellow Canadians and their parenting skills leaves a lot to be desired.
Reid, the communications director for the Prime Minister did a little mis-communicating on behalf of his boss this weekend with his out loud thoughts on our suitability to be parents. Reid found himself in hot water when he was pooh poohing the Conservative ideas on the daycare situation, suggesting that should the great unwashed of Canada be left to their own devices, they would probably end up buying beer and popcorn with any money supposedly destined for the young ones.
Now while most Canadians probably wouldn’t turn down a brew if offered and everyone loves popcorn, one suspects that the vast majority of the nation’s parents can make a suitable choice when it comes down to bread or beer. Pampers or Pilsner? Well it’s a safe bet that in most cases the nation’s toddlers will be freshly powdered before we sit down to our six packs of beer and trough of popcorn at night. In Reid's world it seems that the whole family unit is destined to deteriorate into Home Alone, unless the Liberals have a say in how the family cash is spent.
The arrogance of the Liberal leader’s spokesman has put his boss in a rather tight spot. All of a sudden the Liberals once again come out sounding like they know better than the people they supposedly are here to serve. Making matters even worse, Reids' statements were later backed by one of Paul Martin's senior advisors John Duffy, providing two smacks on the bottoms for our vociferous little voters today.
Reid’s faux pas comes hot on the heels of a similar mis-statement by Ralph Goodales Communication director,John Embury, who last week described the director of public policy for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons as “old and confused”. It was a comment which he, like Reid in this case, was quick to offer up an apology over.
The damage though may already be done, in less than a week the Liberals have come across as know it all smart asses. A group of folks who seem to think that they and they alone, know what’s best for the country and those inconvenient little obstacles to power, the run of the mill voter. These litte side trips are tending to take them off message and leave an opportunity for the Conservartives to try and claw back some of the voter numbers.
They seem to forget that those same people that will receive the day care monies, also pay the taxes that make the government run in the first place. It's not quite clear how we're not to be trusted to spend our own money.
However, despite their many verbal miscues, they still hold a fairly solid lead on their competition, but they had best reign in their press hacks quickly before any real damage sets in.
So far they’ve ostracized the seniors, the near seniors and parents. They’re not leaving much in the way of wriggle room for potential voter turn out. Young, urban, single, gay and child less folks may be the only constituency left for them, by the time their spokespeople are finished spreading the good word.
Perhaps it’s time for the actual politicians to do some of the talking; surely they can’t inflict any more damage on their campaigns than those they pay to talk for them!
Calling Clark Griswold!
I suddenly have Christmas light envy, it wasn't bad enough watching my neighbours scamper up their ladders in between typhoon like winds to anchor their led lights, electronic Santa's, flashing elves and snowmen to their respective roofs, trees and such.
But now while surfing the hackingthemainframe site I find a link to a display that would put even Clark Griswold to shame. My poor little display seems like but a solitary railing lamp compared to this light show to rival a Pink Floyd concert.
I'm not sure where this display is found, but wherever it is hydro must be plentiful and cheap!
But now while surfing the hackingthemainframe site I find a link to a display that would put even Clark Griswold to shame. My poor little display seems like but a solitary railing lamp compared to this light show to rival a Pink Floyd concert.
I'm not sure where this display is found, but wherever it is hydro must be plentiful and cheap!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Good Fortune, Good Strategy or Good Advice?
The spotlight of possible scandal shone briefly once again on the Paul Martin government this week and in the midst of an election campaign, that would make for an unwanted passenger on the Martin campaign trail.
An announcement on November 23rd, that the federal government was not going to change its handling of income trusts and instead would enhance the tax credit on corporate dividends has caused a bit of controversy as the campaign gets fully underway.
What’s up for debate is whether some inside information out of the Finance Ministers office, helped to make a few people make their investment strategies pay off in ways that many find suspicious.
Bloggerland has been full of conspiracy theories that point the finger towards the Liberals, who are busy trying to extricate themselves from the shadow of the sponsorship scandal. To have a new bit of trouble pop up right now, is not something your local Liberal candidate would want to be taking door to door.
It’s a right wing feeding frenzy at the moment, basically limited to a few newspaper columnists and the blogging fanatics who first dug up some of the material that has led to all the questions. The M K Braaten site seems to have done the most research on the issue, going so far as to give a shout out to the Prime Minister’s own personal physician.
It seems that in the hours running up to the official announcement of Goodale’s plans some of those income trusts and dividend paying stocks experienced heavier than usual trading as the Finance Minister prepared to make his statement. This has given many a rather nervous feeling that somebody got a heads up.
Making matters worse for the Liberals was the story on Wednesday, that the Director of Government and Media relations for CARP, Canada’s lobby group for those over the age of fifty, had received advance notice of the announcement to come later that day. If he was getting a heads up, the story goes, how many other folks received advance notice and perhaps acted less than ethically in their pursuit of fortune.
That ink had barely dried, when the retractions came from CARP, as the director Bill Gleberzon said he had misspoken the day previously and had not been notified early. His contradictary comments have put him into the middle of the debate, as everyone tries to piece together the happenings prior to the Goodale announcement.
Things went from bad to worse for the Liberals though, as word got out that a member of Goddale's staff had contacted Mr. Gleberzon to try and help out with the details. As the storm began to build it seems that Goodale’s communication director, John Embury decided to do some damage control and contacted the press, describing Mr. Gleberzon as being old and confused and making an error. Embury quickly apologized for his affront to all those over fifty, but they probably didn’t send Ralph to any seniors homes that day! All in all not a great optical moment for the Goodale or the Martin campaigns.
As the situation continues to fester, the calls for the resignation of the Finance Minister continue to multiply, as do the suggestions that the Liberals haven’t learned anything from the Gomery commission and the fall out of the advertising scandal.
So far the controversy has stayed off the electoral radar, not really affecting the Liberals current lead in the polls. The decision for the Conservatives is whether to dedicate some of their valuable election campaign time to this potential scandal, and making it a major issue of the campaign, or do they stick with their game plan designed prior to the situation coming to light.
With mixed messages coming out about the statement, its timing and the effect it had on the income trust sector, it may be a hard tail to pin on Goodale as the campaign rages on.
Is this more sideshow or is it a true scandal? So far it seems to be in the category of the sideshow! With no smoking gun, all we’re left with is some suspicious activity on the trading floor and some sheepish expressions around the Liberal camp, not to mention the odd foot in the mouth of the Liberal handlers.
However it’s something to file away for after the election. It might make for a nice inquiry, once the new parliament is elected and sitting. After all Judge Gomery is almost out of work, he might be inclined to become our nation's investigator at large.
The way things are going in Ottawa these days, it could be the most permanent position in the land!
An announcement on November 23rd, that the federal government was not going to change its handling of income trusts and instead would enhance the tax credit on corporate dividends has caused a bit of controversy as the campaign gets fully underway.
What’s up for debate is whether some inside information out of the Finance Ministers office, helped to make a few people make their investment strategies pay off in ways that many find suspicious.
Bloggerland has been full of conspiracy theories that point the finger towards the Liberals, who are busy trying to extricate themselves from the shadow of the sponsorship scandal. To have a new bit of trouble pop up right now, is not something your local Liberal candidate would want to be taking door to door.
It’s a right wing feeding frenzy at the moment, basically limited to a few newspaper columnists and the blogging fanatics who first dug up some of the material that has led to all the questions. The M K Braaten site seems to have done the most research on the issue, going so far as to give a shout out to the Prime Minister’s own personal physician.
It seems that in the hours running up to the official announcement of Goodale’s plans some of those income trusts and dividend paying stocks experienced heavier than usual trading as the Finance Minister prepared to make his statement. This has given many a rather nervous feeling that somebody got a heads up.
Making matters worse for the Liberals was the story on Wednesday, that the Director of Government and Media relations for CARP, Canada’s lobby group for those over the age of fifty, had received advance notice of the announcement to come later that day. If he was getting a heads up, the story goes, how many other folks received advance notice and perhaps acted less than ethically in their pursuit of fortune.
That ink had barely dried, when the retractions came from CARP, as the director Bill Gleberzon said he had misspoken the day previously and had not been notified early. His contradictary comments have put him into the middle of the debate, as everyone tries to piece together the happenings prior to the Goodale announcement.
Things went from bad to worse for the Liberals though, as word got out that a member of Goddale's staff had contacted Mr. Gleberzon to try and help out with the details. As the storm began to build it seems that Goodale’s communication director, John Embury decided to do some damage control and contacted the press, describing Mr. Gleberzon as being old and confused and making an error. Embury quickly apologized for his affront to all those over fifty, but they probably didn’t send Ralph to any seniors homes that day! All in all not a great optical moment for the Goodale or the Martin campaigns.
As the situation continues to fester, the calls for the resignation of the Finance Minister continue to multiply, as do the suggestions that the Liberals haven’t learned anything from the Gomery commission and the fall out of the advertising scandal.
So far the controversy has stayed off the electoral radar, not really affecting the Liberals current lead in the polls. The decision for the Conservatives is whether to dedicate some of their valuable election campaign time to this potential scandal, and making it a major issue of the campaign, or do they stick with their game plan designed prior to the situation coming to light.
With mixed messages coming out about the statement, its timing and the effect it had on the income trust sector, it may be a hard tail to pin on Goodale as the campaign rages on.
Is this more sideshow or is it a true scandal? So far it seems to be in the category of the sideshow! With no smoking gun, all we’re left with is some suspicious activity on the trading floor and some sheepish expressions around the Liberal camp, not to mention the odd foot in the mouth of the Liberal handlers.
However it’s something to file away for after the election. It might make for a nice inquiry, once the new parliament is elected and sitting. After all Judge Gomery is almost out of work, he might be inclined to become our nation's investigator at large.
The way things are going in Ottawa these days, it could be the most permanent position in the land!
Pictures of Podunk: Hays Creek
Hay's Creek and the McBride Street Bridge, taken from the plaza at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. Friday, December 09, 2005
A Hard Rain's gonna fall and fall and fall!
Podunkians are battening down the hatches and servicing the sump pumps as one of our legendary frontal systems prepares to arrive. Our friends at Environment Canada have issued a Weather Warning for the North Coast. For those watching on the Weather Network, we will be that corner of the map to the left with the big big cloud system stranded over Podunk.
It's estimated that Podunk will receive over 100 mm of rain over the next 24-36 hours as a front system is "draped" over the North Coast.
This follows a rather nasty day Thursday, where rain and wind buffeted the North Coast.
If your faithful Podunk correspondent is away from the keyboard for a while, it's only to make sure the Ark is still seaworthy. Podunkians like to console themselves with the thought that at least we don't have to shovel it, which may be true, an enjoyable thing when the rest of Canada is hauling out the snowbusters.
But when the rain is pounding down as it appears to be preparing to do, it still doesn't hold much er water, with those that have to go outside! Especially those recalcitrant folks that haven't put their Christmas lights up yet!
It's estimated that Podunk will receive over 100 mm of rain over the next 24-36 hours as a front system is "draped" over the North Coast.
This follows a rather nasty day Thursday, where rain and wind buffeted the North Coast.
If your faithful Podunk correspondent is away from the keyboard for a while, it's only to make sure the Ark is still seaworthy. Podunkians like to console themselves with the thought that at least we don't have to shovel it, which may be true, an enjoyable thing when the rest of Canada is hauling out the snowbusters.
But when the rain is pounding down as it appears to be preparing to do, it still doesn't hold much er water, with those that have to go outside! Especially those recalcitrant folks that haven't put their Christmas lights up yet!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Nash awarded Lou Marsh honours
Steve Nash, who has single handedly tried to bring Canada back to basketball glory in the world, was named the recipient of the Lou Marsh Trophy today. It marks the first time that a basketball player has been named the recipient since the award was first handed out in 1936. It’s a most deserving honor for the quiet leader who ply’s his trade on the Phoenix Suns of the NBA and is one of the most respected players in the NBA...
Nash has long been a fixture on Canada’s national basketball teams, taking his place with pride while many other players chose to sit out the grueling preliminary games, not wishing to bother with a situation in which they saw no upside for their professional careers.
It was largely on the strength of Nash’s play that Canada made it to the quarter finals of the 2000 Olympics. His dedication to the national program is legendary, playing with pride every time he put on the Maple Leaf. He was perhaps the most disappointed Canadian at the Olympics that year when Canada came up short in its medal bid.
His statistics in the NBA speak for themselves, presently leading the league in assists at 168 he’s a dominant player whenever he takes to the court. Recognized last year as the league’s MVP, receiving the Marsh trophy seems like a natural fit for him this year.
Across Canada, a whole new generation of kids has taken up basketball, with dreams of becoming the next Steve Nash. Considering his demeanor both on and off the court, parents couldn’t hope for a better role model. Basketball Canada posted a number of letters sent to them when Nash was named NBA MVP, showing how much respect his homeland had for their quiet hero.
The panelists on the Marsh committee made the right choice this year. If anyone embodies good sportsmanship and good citizenship its Steve Nash, this award is long overdue.
Nash has long been a fixture on Canada’s national basketball teams, taking his place with pride while many other players chose to sit out the grueling preliminary games, not wishing to bother with a situation in which they saw no upside for their professional careers.
It was largely on the strength of Nash’s play that Canada made it to the quarter finals of the 2000 Olympics. His dedication to the national program is legendary, playing with pride every time he put on the Maple Leaf. He was perhaps the most disappointed Canadian at the Olympics that year when Canada came up short in its medal bid.
His statistics in the NBA speak for themselves, presently leading the league in assists at 168 he’s a dominant player whenever he takes to the court. Recognized last year as the league’s MVP, receiving the Marsh trophy seems like a natural fit for him this year.
Across Canada, a whole new generation of kids has taken up basketball, with dreams of becoming the next Steve Nash. Considering his demeanor both on and off the court, parents couldn’t hope for a better role model. Basketball Canada posted a number of letters sent to them when Nash was named NBA MVP, showing how much respect his homeland had for their quiet hero.
The panelists on the Marsh committee made the right choice this year. If anyone embodies good sportsmanship and good citizenship its Steve Nash, this award is long overdue.
Terrace Standard December
The collection of stories from the Terrace Standard for the month of December.
December 28 Credit Unions working on merger
December 28 Investigators probe fatal crash
December 28 Gas Site changed
December 28 Navair stops flying
December 28 Airport doesn't have its own firefighters
December 28 Documents lost when aircraft crashed
December 28 Boy forgoes birthday presents
December 21 Scandal touches North Pole
December 21 Big need for emergency youth shelter
December 21 Ex-boyfriend took a lie detector test
December 21 Search for Tamara continues
December 21 Hawk Air asks for more time to reorganize its finances
December 21 Scott defends record when he was an MP
December 21 Cullen gets a boost from Carole James
December 14 Two in on credit union merger hunt
December 14 Baby Jenna's thriving thanks to a new heart
December 14 Trustees want new look at using School as Board
December 14 Broken rail car spring causes chemical spill at railyard
December 14 Roads reopen after chemical spill
December 7 Send us your Christmas greetings
December 7 Four-day week scares outsiders
December 7 Lack of Sprinkler system allowed fire to spread
December 7 Searching for Tamara
December 7 Contaminated soil plagues local gas station proprietor
December 7 Co-op deadline nears
December 7 Gordon Stamp-Vincent to run for Liberals
December 28 Credit Unions working on merger
December 28 Investigators probe fatal crash
December 28 Gas Site changed
December 28 Navair stops flying
December 28 Airport doesn't have its own firefighters
December 28 Documents lost when aircraft crashed
December 28 Boy forgoes birthday presents
December 21 Scandal touches North Pole
December 21 Big need for emergency youth shelter
December 21 Ex-boyfriend took a lie detector test
December 21 Search for Tamara continues
December 21 Hawk Air asks for more time to reorganize its finances
December 21 Scott defends record when he was an MP
December 21 Cullen gets a boost from Carole James
December 14 Two in on credit union merger hunt
December 14 Baby Jenna's thriving thanks to a new heart
December 14 Trustees want new look at using School as Board
December 14 Broken rail car spring causes chemical spill at railyard
December 14 Roads reopen after chemical spill
December 7 Send us your Christmas greetings
December 7 Four-day week scares outsiders
December 7 Lack of Sprinkler system allowed fire to spread
December 7 Searching for Tamara
December 7 Contaminated soil plagues local gas station proprietor
December 7 Co-op deadline nears
December 7 Gordon Stamp-Vincent to run for Liberals
Pictures of Podunk: Smile's Cafe
A Prince Rupert Legend! Long before the boutique stores, coffee shops and Cruise ship passengers arrived at Cow Bay there was Smile's. Seafood is on the menu in heaping quantities, by far it's the one place everyone wants to know about when they visit the city.Wednesday, December 07, 2005
For those that just can't get enough caffeine
Starbucks look out! Coca Cola is about to kick start the day and keep the java comin' all day long. Coke's marketing department (the same guys that gave us the New Coke, but we digress) are about launch a new project called Coca Cola Blak.
A concoction that combines the traditional taste of Coca Cola Classic and selected coffee extracts. Blak is described as a mid calorie drink similar to C2. The beverage will have half the sugar, calories and carbohydrates of the regular brand. The coffee aspect of it will vary according to local tastes.
It's to be initially offered up in France and then will attempt to conquer the Cola world in the USA and elsewhere in 2006.
And thus begins another round of the Cola wars, as the predominant players Coke and Pepsi vie for the palates and digestive tracts of the worlds soft drink consumers.
A concoction that combines the traditional taste of Coca Cola Classic and selected coffee extracts. Blak is described as a mid calorie drink similar to C2. The beverage will have half the sugar, calories and carbohydrates of the regular brand. The coffee aspect of it will vary according to local tastes.
It's to be initially offered up in France and then will attempt to conquer the Cola world in the USA and elsewhere in 2006.
And thus begins another round of the Cola wars, as the predominant players Coke and Pepsi vie for the palates and digestive tracts of the worlds soft drink consumers.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Thanks for your interest, but all positions have been filled! (Thank God)
The thing about elections is the parties riding the top of the polls, always seem to be the ones attracting the crowds to get on the bandwagon.
Such is the case in Quebec, where the Bloc Quebecois candidate for Apraham Naziblian found one would be supporter a little hotter than most. Naziblian who is taking on Immigration Minister Denis Coderre in the Montreal riding of Bourassa.
Bloc Quebecois handlers have had to sidetrack the offers of support from Adil Charkaoui, who was arrested in 2003 under suspicion of ties to the Al Qaida movement. Accusations which he has denied and for which he spent two years in detention without charges, presently out on bail since February with strict conditions, Charkaoui has but one wish to unseat the Minister of Immigration in his own riding.
The Bloc issued a statement that proclaimed "Charkaoui does not have any official role within the party and has not been solicited for help." The optics of a possible terrorist handing out lawn signs and knocking on doors probably isn't a vision that the Bloc would like to see put on the nightly news
Perhaps Gilles Duceppe's call to action of a few days ago, has attracted a few folks that the Bloc might wish would participate in a more quiet form.
Such is the case in Quebec, where the Bloc Quebecois candidate for Apraham Naziblian found one would be supporter a little hotter than most. Naziblian who is taking on Immigration Minister Denis Coderre in the Montreal riding of Bourassa.
Bloc Quebecois handlers have had to sidetrack the offers of support from Adil Charkaoui, who was arrested in 2003 under suspicion of ties to the Al Qaida movement. Accusations which he has denied and for which he spent two years in detention without charges, presently out on bail since February with strict conditions, Charkaoui has but one wish to unseat the Minister of Immigration in his own riding.
The Bloc issued a statement that proclaimed "Charkaoui does not have any official role within the party and has not been solicited for help." The optics of a possible terrorist handing out lawn signs and knocking on doors probably isn't a vision that the Bloc would like to see put on the nightly news
Perhaps Gilles Duceppe's call to action of a few days ago, has attracted a few folks that the Bloc might wish would participate in a more quiet form.
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