Tuesday, December 20, 2011

More Biennial talk

For the past 2 days, I have received various robocalls and emails from various candidates. This has been annoying to say the least, I would prefer personal emails or phone calls, but then I come back to earth and realize that I am just a regular delegate, and semi-annual blogger. Though I understand why the candidates are making their calls this week, I personally would like a personal email or even a phone call.

The people that I am supporting for their positions have reached out and called me or even talked to me in person, and I feel this touch is very important in an internal Liberal race. Also, don't call my house during the day, no one is home. Some of us Liberals do have jobs. Is it asking too much to have a personal touch for a National Executive Board Election? I don't think it is, but then again I can just influence other delegates from my riding on this issue.
One more endorsement for now......

National Vice-President English
This is a very important position on the National Executive, and I believe that our next VP English should be experienced and know the party inside and out. That is why I am endorsing James Morton for VP English. I found his platform to be very thorough, and agree with his opinion on the importance of the PTA's. I have also had the chance to sit down and chat with James and have found him to be a thoughtful and dedicated Liberal. I feel James Morton's experience as both a candidate, exec board member, and blogger give him a great depth in the various levels of political involvement and think that he will do a great job as Vice President for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Biennial is coming....

The Liberal Party of Canada is choosing a new national executive at the Biennial convention in Ottawa in January. The people in the party have a lot of choices to make in terms of party renewel. I think there are some people that warrant specific endorsements as to why they should be elected in their positions. This is not a full list of my endorsements and ther will be more to come.

Presidental Endorsement
First off, lets start with the Presidency, the incoming LPC president basically has 2 years to change the party before the new leadership team comes in, and from there things get a little cloudy. Only one candidate has struck me as someone that truly represents a clear vision of the future for the Liberal Party, and that is Mike Crawley. While other candidates have talked about bringing people back from the past, Mike has talked about the future and his bold new red vision really has resonated with me. I found that Mike understands the role of party president and is running as someone running for a table officer spot, rather then a politician as Sheila Copps has appeared. When I was at LPCO exec board in Niagara Falls, I felt that out of all the candidates, Mike got it, I mean that he understood how grassroots Liberals feel, and how to change the party and work within its structure as president. I feel he is the best hope to really change things for the better.

National Policy Chair
In a crowded field, the National Policy chair has a very important job in moderating the policy process of the Party for the next 2 year cycle. Though this is a crowded field with 2 passionate young liberals running for the position I feel that Maryanne Kampouris is by far the most qualified of the candidates and would do the best job as a national policy chair. Maryanne knows the party policy process inside and out, especially in her role as LPCO policy chair. She has been fair in her role, and hasn't put any special interest above others in her Ontario role. I believe that her experience and knowledge of the internal policy system would be very advantageous in a period of rebuilding and she would be a fair policy chair that would help the party and its grassroots find its vision for the future.

National Membership Secretary

The National Membership Secretary is a very hotly contested position for 2012. There are a couple of qualified candidates but I feel that Kyle Harrietha is the best candidate for the job. I've worked with Kyle in the past, and feel his experience of being an Alberta Liberal, with ties to Ontario give him a great perspective on the breadth of membership issues the party has as a whole, and I feel that he would do a great job as the National Membership Secretary of the Liberal Party.

I will have more endorsements to come, but this is my first post in a series of 2 regarding people who I am supporting for the Convention in Ottawa in January.

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Update

Its been since May, since I wrote a blog, but there has been some really interesting developments in the Liberal Party Of Canada, so tomorrow I will have my endorsements for the National Executive election.

I have met with candidates from all the positions and formulated my choices. So it should be good.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Just when you thought it was going to be one sided

The Ontario Liberals Strike back. This add comes out today on TV. I got a peek at it first cause I know some people who are like in the know. Take a look for yourself, I think its effective.







Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Rock Bottom

So last election was supposed to be rock bottom for the Liberals, but we have a brand new low this time around. This craziness goes back to 2006 and that ill fated leadership race in Montreal. Anyways, the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't been in the playoffs since the Conservatives have been in power. I hope this trend doesn't continue.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Prominent NDP Supporter, Bonjour Quebec!


Bonjour Quebec.

Did you know that Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins is a prominent member of the NDP? Did you know he addressed their bienial conference in the past? Do a google search for Andrew Ference and NDP, and well its pretty easy to see.

Well, did you see him address the province of Quebec last week? I think this picture speaks for itself. This picture is indicative of the doublespeak the NDP has regarding their policies in Quebec and outside of it. Food for thought eh!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Muskoka Adventures, G8 edition!

I made a couple of video blogs about the G8 pork in Muskoka. Take a look




Tuesday, April 05, 2011

New Con ad, looks very American

So, this new Con ad crossed my desk. I saw it earlier, but then I got another email comparing the ad to an American tea party. The resemblance is uncanny. Looks like its a pretty good copy, if you change some of the stock imagery. What do you think?

Friday, April 01, 2011

Open Letter to Stephen Harper, from Michael Ignatieff

This just crossed my desk this morning. Everyone should read this to hear the real story. Don't believe the anonymous sources, believe this directly from the leader of the Liberal Party to the Leader of the Conservative Party. Open letter to Stephen Harper Dear Mr. Harper: I am writing about the one-on-one debate that you challenged me to two days ago. You will recall that when you issued your challenge, I immediately responded, accepting it with enthusiasm. As you stated, there are only two people who can be Prime Minister after May 2nd: you or me. Canadians truly deserve to see us go face to face in a contest of ideas, values and very different visions for our country. That is what democracy is all about. Like many Canadians, I was disappointed and puzzled when you reversed your commitment, and tried to back out yesterday. I don't understand why you have gone back on your word, or why you would wish to disappoint Canadians. However, it is not too late for you to rectify the situation. Since our original exchange on Wednesday, many invitations to host the debate have come in from prestigious organizations across Canada. So there are any number of venues and times to choose from. Perhaps I can make this easier for you. I will meet you at the time and place of your choosing. There is no need for complicated or convoluted debate formats. Just two podiums – and you and me. A true, honest-to-goodness battle of ideas and visions. This is the kind of contest that Canadians are yearning for. I know because I have been meeting ordinary Canadians of all ages, backgrounds and political allegiances at events across Canada. It’s absolutely exhilarating. In fact, I would recommend that you try it. In closing, I urge you to reconsider your reversal and stick to your word. I strongly believe our fellow Canadians deserve this chance to see the different visions of leadership between the only two people who can become prime minister of this country at the end of this election. Sincerely, Michael Ignatieff Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Irony

Libs put out a policy that will help youth get to post secondary education in the future. Damn good policy to get kids to post secondary education and create a better society! Could this help get the youth vote out? Are they too busy watching Justin Bieber and playing xbox360? Let's hope their parents take their time away from tmz and perez to vote ;)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Harper Coalition 1.0.

Stephen Harper on Coalitions

It has come to the Globe and Mail's attention that Stephen Harper's continual coalition BS rant is of his own strategy. I have come up with a few coaltions Stephen Harper has been part of. This is by no means a complete list, and if you have any suggestions please send them to me.




Canadian hockey team bandwagon coalition



Every year Harper jumps on the bandwagon of the last Canadian team left in the playoffs. Remember when he was at the Oilers game 6 vs Carolina. Remember how he suddenly became a habs fan last year? Do you remember, that Harper is like me, a lifelong member of Leafs nation, who resorted to cheering for Ottawa when they made a cup run. This time of bandwagoning coalitioning is bad, especially from a fellow lifelong Leaf fan. I am dissapointed in this, and call on the Prime Minister to only support the Toronto Maple Leafs. No more hockey coalitions Mr. Harper. FOR SHAME!


Urban leather cowboy coalition

Well, what can we say about this coalition, usually riding motorcycles, or parading in Toronto in late June? This is the most eclectic of Stephen Harper's coalitions. I think this is also the most inclusive. From the Hells angels, to those guys in S&M bars, they are all part of the leather vest coalition which Harper is a proud member. Giddy-up.


Coalition of socialists, separatists and Conservatives

Here, take a look at this letter pasted in here.

THE 2004 LETTER Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor General Rideau Hall 1 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1 EXCELLENCY, As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated. SINCERELY, Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. Leader of the Opposition Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Gilles Duceppe, M.P. Leader of the Bloc Québécois Jack Layton, M.P. Leader of the New Democratic Party

This is pretty self explanatory, Harper wanted to enter into a coalition with separatists (BQ), and the Socialists (NDP) in 2004. It took him a few years to flip flop back and forth against the coalitions, but lets not let the facts get in the way of a repetitive and stupid stump speech for Stephen on the campaign trail.


Coalition of the willing (war in Iraq)


Oh yeah, Stephen Harper was in favour of Canada going to war in Iraq in 2003, remember how well that turned out? Turned into a bit of a quagmire. Stephen wanted to follow his best friend George Bush full bore into the Iraq invasion. History has taught us facebook is a much better way to do regime change in that region.



National Citizens Coalition

Stephen used to be president of this organization in the 1990s. Apparently they are a lobby group that is a coalition of right wingers who wanted to put a firewall up in Alberta or something along those lines. Stephen Harper, President of a Coalition! Gotcha!


So this is a brief history of Stephen Harper and coalitions. He talks about the, but they are littered in his past. Something to think about voters, whenever he goes on and on about the non-existent coalition.





Friday, March 04, 2011

Getting Dumb on crime

One thing I really like about Conservatives is even when they are totally wrong, they still think they are right and will stick to being wrong. That is until their leader tells them they are wrong, and they flip flop faster then a hipster vegan at a McDonald's restaurant.

I just read a piece in the Globe and Mail this morning, quoting Asa Hutchinson on the mistakes of the American prison system. Hutchinson is an Arkansas Republican who worked for the Bush administration. So he isn't exactly a pinko or a wussy liberal type. Hutchinson believes the American system focuses too much of its costs on housing inmates, and punishing them rather than being a system that works and prevents re offending.

The real beauty part of it is Hutchinson believes mandatory minimums are unfair, and that having longer prison sentences doesn't do anything for a prisoner to prepare for the real world. This is a Southern American conservative basically bashing his own system, and thus also debunking the planned justice bill "Harper's" Government wants to bring in.

So, lets get this straight, these policies don't work at all. For 35 years, the American prison system has been successful at locking people up, creating violent prisons, and raising the level of recidivism. This is what the Conservatives want to do to Canada? This also costs billions of dollars to do.

Is this perhaps one of the worst ideas this government has come up with? Yes.

Is this going to be extremely expensive, and cost the taxpayers money to basically created meaner, strong prisoners? Yes.

Aren't we all hoping the Conservatives have this as their main plank in the next Federal Election? Yes.

Crime is a complex issue, and it doesn't require simple minded solutions, it requires the full force of the state in terms of the social safety net as well as the justice system in reducing crime, and poverty which comes hand in hand. By simplifying this issue, the Conservatives think Canadians aren't smart enough to comprehend this problem, and that we want simple solutions? Are we that much like Americans, in places like Arkansas, and Texas? Do you share those values. Think about it, hard....