tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94996942024-03-07T02:14:06.711-05:00Confessions of a Liberal Mindmy cryptic view of the world, the world between my ears, or the world in front of my eyes. By talking about being cryptic, I mean from my suburban Liberal view.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-23250508757726153972013-01-28T14:40:00.000-05:002013-01-31T01:04:40.669-05:00The Great OLP Leadership Convention of 2013My first real political convention was the LPC leadership race of 2006, That convention was wild, crazy and ultimately very divisive and angsty due to the length of the race. Some people say that the OLP leadership convention will be the last great delegated convention. I would hope not, as I found that it was an exciting ride from start to finish. This is my view of the Convention and lead-up from my own personal view point. This is the Convention through my eyes, not my brain. That's the disclaimer! Also, I am not going to name any of the people who I interact with, So organizer and supporter will suffice. <br />
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<b>Before The show</b> <br />
This time around, I was attending the convention as an Ex Officio delegate. I am the President of the Pickering Scarborough East Provincial Liberal Association. I am very lucky to be involved in a great Association with the wonderful Tracy MacCharles as my MPP. Being a riding President got me personal calls from almost all the candidates running. I had chats with, Hoskins, Sousa, Wynne, and Gerard Kennedy. I never received calls from Takhar, Murray, and Sandra Pupatello <b>(told a volunteer on their campaign to have her call me, never happened). </b>From the basis of these calls, I was able to start my own selection process for who I would support. <br />
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I know this sounds strange to some, but I think it really shows how well organized a campaign is, by the level of personal touch it has in dealing with people like myself, grassroots Liberals who work hard to ensure that our riding organizations are strong, organized and well funded. Also, I think anyone would agree, that the easiest way to get delegate support is to work on the super delegates first. It shows an organization is serious about winning if they are working on the Riding Presidents, as they often have their ear to the ground of what the members in the riding are saying.<br />
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<b>Decision Time</b><br />
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I was pulled essentially in 3 different directions, to Kathleen Wynne, Gerard Kennedy and Charles Sousa. Each of these candidates had Political friends supporting them, and they all had compelling arguments for their support. I was a Kennedy supporter in 2006, Kathleen Wynne really made an impression on me by appearing at my Riding's AGM just a week into the campaign, and Charles Sousa was a great listener and made time for my concerns with the Education issue.I agonized for a few weeks over my support, but eventually I found that the candidate that spoke to me and my views the most was Charles Sousa. Charles' suburban view is very similar to my own, and I knew that he would be good on education. This from a story he told me about having a close family member who is a teacher. I also thought the idea of bringing the TTC under metrolinx is a great policy plank, that would help for a true regional transit system. I put out a tweet, stating my endorsement of Charles in December, and from there I was able to try and rally support in my riding to Charles' campaign. <br />
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<b>Pre Convention</b><br />
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Leading up to the convention, I continued to stay in contact with people from the other camps. I had phone calls with both Wynne and Kennedy organizers. I often told them about members of my riding executive who would be good delegates, and I also wanted to know how many members they signed up in my riding. I was amazed to see my association grow in membership from 90, to almost 400 members in less than a month. The LEM meeting was something that I had to take on as President, and I was lucky to have a great Returning officer, and amazing volunteers, which I got from the school I work at. The LEM went off without a hitch, and we had the delegates chosen by 11pm. Charles Sousa won the riding with 4 delegates, which showed how split the vote was in the riding, and how close it could have been if someone signed up a hockey team to vote or something along those lines. <br />
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How important were these contacts with the other camp. Extremely important. From my discussions, I already had a convention plan based on conversations, friendship, and smart politics. After the LEM, I knew Charles' chances of winning were not the best. So I was ready to throw my support to Gerard or Kathleen based on the circumstances, with the hope that they wouldn't end up against each other on the final ballot. The biggest impact on came in a phone call, it was Kathleen Wynne, who called me last Tuesday, and our conversation which lasted about 15 minutes really left me with the impression that if it was the final ballot between the 2 front runners that I would be much more confident in Kathleen Wynne as our Premier. Her candor, and honesty really made my convention decisions easy under the circumstances, and by last Thursday I knew I wouldn't be swayed by the emotion of the Convention floor. I would be supporting Wynne in these circumstances. <br />
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<b>Convention Time</b><br />
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I arrived on Friday morning at the Convention to get accreditation as a delegate, and the rest of my day was free after that to talk with friends and meet up with out of towners who I see maybe twice a year at these events. I got in touch with Team Sousa, and started to make potential deals and alliances in terms of convention strategy. The Friday schedule was only in the evening, and I was invited to a Wynne event at a bar for Ex officio delegates. I made some more contacts, and had some great discussions with other presidents about what they were hearing and went from there into the evening session of tributes and hospitality suites. <br />
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Let me say this about the hospitality suites, what happens at Hospitality suites, stays in Hospitality suites. Club Sousa was rocking, and it was a successful Robbie Burns night! <br />
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<b>Saturday</b><br />
I woke up around 10 am, and got to the convention in time to see the GK speech, though this time I wasn't on the floor like in 06, I had a great view from the Sousa area, where i got all decked out in Sousa swag, and met with organizers to see if they needed me to talk to anyone. After that I was able to watch the Wynne speech, Kathleen's speech was amazing, I felt that she gave the perfect convention speech, it had a wonderful tone, and an extremely positive message. I was honestly blown away, despite the flash mob glee dancing which had me giggling. <br />
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I was then pressed into the mob for Charles's speech, and to my dismay was feature on tv several times, despite looking a little "tired" from the night before. Charles's gave a great speech, talking about his heritage, and hitting the right messages, and I felt he had a great tone. Being on the floor made it hard to really analyze as I was virtually right by the stage staring up at the podium as he delivered his stump speech to the packed arena. <br />
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After Charles's speech I went for a walk, and saw parts of Sandra's speech. It didn't really resonate with me as much as Kathleen's or Charles, but nonetheless she had run a front runners campaign. <br />
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After the speeches I was cornered by a fellow riding president supporting Sandra, cornered and asked to support her on a second ballot. I told her about my story of never being contacted by the candidate. 5 minutes later I got a profuse apology from one of her organizers. This apology was in a phone call form. I answered the call as a courtesy, I could have chosen to ignore it. I told the Sandra organizer that I was leaning 2 other ways, and gave my explanations (communications, and personal touch) and that was the end of that. 10 minutes after that, a GK operative started pressing me to support GK, I gave him my answer, I am with Charles, we are going from 5th to first, if not I will get in touch with you. The first ballot results were announced and Kathleen's totals were neck in neck with Sandra's, Sousa had bled some exofficio support to her and Hoskins, and we were behind Takhar. I was still optimistic, but we would need a miracle to win this thing. My next interaction with Sandra's camp came with a Federal friend from the Golden Horseshoe who was shocked, and a bit angry that I was leaning towards Wynne, but I was in no mood for a heated discussion and said it was great to see them and walked away with a smile on my face to defuse any animosity.<br />
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Second ballot came and went, voting was quick and easy, and thats when things got strange. I was having a discussion with a close friend in the Kennedy camp, when we were aggressively cornered by 2 mpps. Both these MPP's were very overly friendly. Much more than at Provincial Council or at regional meetings, and they proceeded to overly aggressive sell us on Sandra. A third MPP then joined them, and effectively cornered us from escape. I was a bit shocked by this to say the least, that they aggressively pitched 2 education workers on Sandra, basically offering us swag and pushing her on us hard. Their tone was disappointing, and they didn't have any of the answers we needed regarding the education system, which is my most important issue right now. The McGuinty/Broten alliance has done enough damage with their outright fabrications and tone. We were both turned off, but managed to deflect the conversation to other issues. I decided to tell one MPP from the north how much I liked Ontario Northland and their rail service, and he went on some tangent about its costs. That worked well as politicians love to go on and on about politics and easily distracted by issues. I was struck by their tone, and it gave me a sense that they were desperate as a camp. We ended that conversation as the politicians moved onto some other delegates. <br />
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The next thing I saw would be a total game changer. In the back hallway of the concourse, I saw the agreement happen that changed it all. The Kennedy Sousa alliance. I won't say how it happened or who made it, but I saw it. Let's just say that 2 very important organizers made an agreement that would change history. The third ballot results came out, and the first person I saw was an MPP supporting Wynne who was very confident in their chances to win despite being in second. I said hi, and wished them well. <br />
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In the next 5 minutes after this, I quietly talked to some Wynne supporters about my final decision to reassure them, they were much more worried than I was about the outcome. This was done through, bbm, twitter direct messages, email, and in person. I also had an awkward bbm conversation with a Sandra supporter who is a friend of mine, who was surprised with my decision. I had a very 06ish sense on the final result, thanks to my discussions with other Sousa and Kennedy delegates. The feeling was Deja Vu. <br />
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I decided to go for a walk, and ended up with my friends at the blogger table, I gave them some interesting information and gossiped on the rumors and goings on for the convention. I also did an interview with Nancy Leblanc (you can find it at her blog Im Political), where i gave my thoughts on the proceedings. I always feel at home on blogger row, as I have been there for the past 2 biennial conventions of the LPC, and felt welcome there on this occasion despite being an ex-officio delegate. While i was talking to the bloggers, Sousa made his move, as Kennedy had just finished his pow wow with his supporters. With Charles officially going to Wynne, and Gerard subsequently going to Wynne, my last ballot support would be for Kathleen.<br />
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When I was walking over on the Wynne side, I was hugged, thanked, and felt like I was helping make history by grateful, friendly Wynne supporters. I was also looking for Tracy MacCharles my MPP, to tell her about my plans, but alas I didn't find her till after I voted and had to settle with a quick email as a courtesy. From here the voting seemed like a mere formality, and my cell phone died. I knew the results before they happened but I won't go into the details. This convention, I had so much inside baseball, and this definitely made things way more interesting. I am glad to be a part of history, and I will give a deeper analysis of the convention soon. But I think this pretty much sums up how I saw the convention. Basically, I was cool, collected and had a feeling on the outcome. It was a long, wild historic day! <br />
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Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-38745688680218779242012-05-14T00:58:00.002-04:002012-05-14T00:59:22.266-04:00Explaining COALM and blogging hiatusesSo, I haven't posted in a few months, almost 6 to be exact. I don't believe that this is the end of my blogging adventure. I take hiatuses for various reasons, personal, content, even then I have 10 different unfinished posts in the past 12 months that I feel are not up to the level of quality that I consider worth of writing. <br />
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When I first started writing, I was inspired by Hunter S Thompson, and his novels and stories about American election campaign, written in a cutting fashion, with bourbon soaked stories about George McGovern. I needed a creative outlet, and since around 2006, this has been my political creative outlet. I haven't read any of Hunters work in a number of years, but I feel that its style, cutting, smart, no bs is the best way to write a blog. His books on the campaign trail are by far the best I have ever read on the subject, and I think Fear and Loathing on the Campaign trail is a book every politico should read. <br />
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Sometime in 2007, I forgot that, and it became a blog of political talking points, mishmash, and various information I was fed from various sources. I also started to develop a profile as a blogger. There was times where I met members of the national media, who I actually seldom read, who were familiar with this site (I actually read the sports section first). It was flattering, but it also played into the more maverick side of the blog. This went to my head just a bit, in that time period I would write some pretty inflammatory stuff, but the odd part was who it would inflame. I often was delving into internal fratricidal, which I enjoyed at the time, but in reality isn't very big news in the grand scheme of things. I also think that doing gotcha pieces didn't help my writing. My best pieces always have been personal ideas, and cutting commentary that came right from my head. <br />
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I'm not your typical blogger, I have a job outside of politics, and hobbies that do not mesh with the blogger and their inherent ability to bitch and moan constantly. Whether its about something in the Internal party or the evil Federal Government; and their various vindictive, caveman decisions that we can only complain about due to their 38% majority. That was a run on sentence, but it got the point across. <br />
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So where am I going with this? That is a good question, and I don't have an answer to it. But unlike some of my peers, and their decisions to erase their websites, and hide their content I am not going to ever retire. I enjoy writing, and I will always enjoy publishing posts on here when I feel like it. So don't press the refresh button, Its just going to disappoint you. <br />
-@COALM<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aGmAmJFUvzM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-29197072548685906652012-01-13T12:38:00.003-05:002012-01-13T13:48:43.466-05:00Opening Remarks of 2012 Biennial ConventionIn an interesting twist of events, Bob Rae goes off the cuff, and totally disregards his prepared remarks. I had a chance to read his prepared remarks and they were a bit different then what he ended up saying. He gives a passionate speech that defended the party and our history and future. <br /><br />I will be making an appearance on the webcast around 2pm, doing a panel style interview on http://convention.liberal.ca/ Take a look.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-5794933751134936862012-01-12T14:04:00.001-05:002012-01-12T14:05:50.114-05:00Live Blogging from BiennialAs of tomorrow morning, I will be liveblogging sessions from Biennial. I will only be live blogging the sessions that are available to the media. I don't feel like exposing any party secrets to everyone.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-83340044209462301602011-12-20T23:00:00.004-05:002011-12-21T10:32:56.469-05:00More Biennial talkFor 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. <br /><br />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.<br />One more endorsement for now......<br /><br />National Vice-President English<br />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.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-91446158905502737502011-12-07T21:58:00.003-05:002011-12-15T12:29:36.836-05:00Biennial 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.<br /><br /><strong>Presidental Endorsement </strong><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">National Policy Chair</span><br />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. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">National Membership Secretary <br /></span><br />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.<br /><br />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.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-28125915617986141202011-12-01T10:20:00.002-05:002011-12-01T10:24:19.686-05:00UpdateIts 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. <br /><br />I have met with candidates from all the positions and formulated my choices. So it should be good.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-19036439051073301372011-07-12T11:42:00.002-04:002011-07-12T13:21:45.742-04:00Just when you thought it was going to be one sidedThe 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.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ycP75ZcI54k" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script><br /><g:plusone></g:plusone>Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-67166607532681306842011-05-03T23:55:00.003-04:002011-05-03T23:57:06.035-04:00Rock BottomSo 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.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-64545519463823272052011-04-27T23:23:00.004-04:002011-04-27T23:29:22.620-04:00Prominent NDP Supporter, Bonjour Quebec!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6cqacTZO3U4s7yJ4vh0o7BDuqU40oWl4C0zHgUQ26aeZmgZku1vEMjeJZCgUHyWwwF9wBTR2xO4XSiPKSD8K5L2V7Q0moVHyrAbe3ybckn69bBOBT3O3oBZ2RC0ci9IM7znR/s1600/andrew+ference+middle+finger.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6cqacTZO3U4s7yJ4vh0o7BDuqU40oWl4C0zHgUQ26aeZmgZku1vEMjeJZCgUHyWwwF9wBTR2xO4XSiPKSD8K5L2V7Q0moVHyrAbe3ybckn69bBOBT3O3oBZ2RC0ci9IM7znR/s400/andrew+ference+middle+finger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600470861571295090" border="0" /></a><br />Bonjour Quebec.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /> 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!Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-22536682948658327562011-04-22T20:31:00.003-04:002011-04-22T21:12:47.977-04:00Muskoka Adventures, G8 edition!I made a couple of video blogs about the G8 pork in Muskoka. Take a look <div><br /></div><div><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px" width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8P8Ve3ZaD0Q?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8P8Ve3ZaD0Q?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px" width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fc3SaaujgJM?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fc3SaaujgJM?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/56Gq7q4O6AA?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/56Gq7q4O6AA?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-64419217770144515292011-04-05T19:17:00.001-04:002011-04-05T19:19:26.471-04:00New Con ad, looks very AmericanSo, 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?<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fGXGwr3nr7g" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe>Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-81608185082791617712011-04-01T09:14:00.003-04:002011-04-01T09:19:29.001-04:00Open Letter to Stephen Harper, from Michael IgnatieffThis 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 CanadaJamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-91414888302720686732011-03-30T22:59:00.001-04:002011-03-30T23:38:14.963-04:00IronyLibs 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 ;)Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-59512482945696352512011-03-28T11:03:00.000-04:002011-03-28T11:03:01.431-04:00Harper Coalition 1.0.<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vDTmpXj9vyM?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-75520678449889728552011-03-28T10:52:00.009-04:002011-03-28T14:34:49.149-04:00Stephen Harper on CoalitionsIt 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. <br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Canadian hockey team bandwagon coalition</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Urban leather cowboy coalition</strong></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPHPbFmamEKONs0y0_6qaID7hze-6Uhwnw7gr2iIhZOgdhVVaSvX3hLGGVqj4FTRjaSfMbnZBxYUoVJsWTwggin3YiTpyEccaO_cB3a7cnIuATjMIsOIEQdg5b1TTu2L41i6x/s1600/harper_cowboy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589171265838727714" style="WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPHPbFmamEKONs0y0_6qaID7hze-6Uhwnw7gr2iIhZOgdhVVaSvX3hLGGVqj4FTRjaSfMbnZBxYUoVJsWTwggin3YiTpyEccaO_cB3a7cnIuATjMIsOIEQdg5b1TTu2L41i6x/s400/harper_cowboy.jpg" border="0" /></a>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Coalition of socialists, separatists and Conservatives</strong></div><br /><div>Here, take a look at this letter pasted in here.</div><br /><div>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 </div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Coalition of the willing (war in Iraq)</strong></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpmdF3sYWYAHoPgQ3G9R4M4tMMYFVOTdCfdLa74oDAE6S9PgZCzDCms8dy01dHRPftNWBeoKQkfjaZaVxurXDgwA4fiFfHFTMD0O9SUOi2izliy5__xiPtnGqCkvEMj8ax2O_/s1600/harper_bush.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589200400761426162" style="WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpmdF3sYWYAHoPgQ3G9R4M4tMMYFVOTdCfdLa74oDAE6S9PgZCzDCms8dy01dHRPftNWBeoKQkfjaZaVxurXDgwA4fiFfHFTMD0O9SUOi2izliy5__xiPtnGqCkvEMj8ax2O_/s400/harper_bush.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>National Citizens Coalition</strong></div><br /><div>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! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-62207648654610264472011-03-04T12:15:00.006-05:002011-03-05T18:35:14.688-05:00Getting Dumb on crimeOne 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Is this perhaps one of the worst ideas this government has come up with? Yes.<br /><br />Is this going to be extremely expensive, and cost the taxpayers money to basically created meaner, strong prisoners? Yes.<br /><br />Aren't we all hoping the Conservatives have this as their main plank in the next Federal Election? Yes.<br /><br />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....Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-49695463809816313552010-12-09T10:17:00.005-05:002010-12-09T12:43:20.619-05:00Decorum and Newsworthiness in PoliticsWhen I decided to write about this topic, I had just listened to Don Cherry rant and rave about Pinkos when introducing Rob Ford as the new mayor. The media reaction when from outraged to mocking, but no one mentioned the fact that Cherry's speech was totally inappropriate for the type of event he was at. I would expect some class and dignity in a swearing in ceremony. Instead we get name calling and ramblings from a beloved hockey commentator who should stick to talking about hockey.<br /><br />I think the 24 hour news cycle, and political news shows has done more to derange the narrative politics in this country then anything else. It has become who can be the most outrageously partisan, and most snarky rather then debating points on merit of their ideas. The Conservatives have been the masters of the snarkiness, and when I see Vic Toews, or Peter Van Loan on Powerplay I watch for a few minutes and tire of their "liberalitis" aka everything bad is Liberals, we are not Liberals. The tv hosts are no better, in letting these clowns get their bully pulpit and often just end up using it to spout talking points rather then have a discussion about the issues.<br /><br />A big part of the problem is the Prime Minister, who controls his MPs through fear and intimidation, when was the last time we saw a Conservative talk contrary to the PMO without any consequence? This leads the other parties to cry foul, and they try to message in a similar form in the media. Why was Julian Fantino hiding during his by-election campaign. The media tries to hold them accountable, but they get caught up in their collective ADD (its hard to get a quote when you can't answer a question), brought on by the trickle of information and opportunities to find a potential scoop from a cabinet minister.<br /><br />This ADD is often caused by the various polling companies, who make money somehow on changes in the views of the electorate which are often in the margin of error. Polls create a permanent spin cycle, when there is no news often the only thing to talk about is polls. Lets be honest, any poll coming out in November and December as winter starts, and Canadians prepare for the holidays, will have no bearing on an election in the next spring. Polls are snapshots of a time period. I think their revelence often only applies to panelists on Powerplay, and Power and Politics. To the rest of us, its barely a barometer.<br /><br />On <a href="http://bit.ly/hRTgdu">this tangent, i happened to read an interesting article by David Akin, talking about reporters (with the public) and politicians (with reporters) being distrustful and cynical even in the off hours</a>. It was an interesting observation by David, to note that both Politicians are subject to scrutiny and snarky intrusion in this age? Is there a way to change it? Probably not, but we have to ignore non news days, and maybe then politicians and journalists will try harder to spin less, and be more "normal". Negativity, random speculation, and snarkiness is what I see a lot of in political news by everybody. Do we really want children watching question period? or even a debate on P and P? Think about it?Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-19826399981452086502010-10-27T10:21:00.006-04:002010-12-01T21:43:22.562-05:00Meeting Rob FordIn Honour of Rob Ford's first day on the job, let me tell you a story I have about meeting the man. <br /><br />For those of you that don't know, I work at a high school. Our school hosted a townhall meeting in May this year for the mayoralty candidates. All of the candidates except George Smitherman attended, so I had a chance to meet and chat with all the front runners. The people I chatted with the most happened to be Rocco Rossi and Rob Ford. <br /><br />Rocco was gracious enough to recognize me from before and we talked about writing and politics. I remember coming out of our conversation thinking, Rocco is a great guy, but I don't think he is going to win. I personally think he should make a run for something in the near future. <br /><br />When I met Rob Ford, he came up to me, and the first thing he said was, Now here is a guy who has played Football before (I am 6'3 and not skinny). I introduced myself, and Rob asked me if I played Football. I said no, because my school never had Football when I was in high school, and that I run the Rugby program at this school, as well as playing both hockey and rugby. Rob then started trying to sell me on the merits of a Football program for my school, almost in way that was pushy. <br /><br />He then told the students he would bring a football program to the school. When you have a school that is full of skinny Chinese kids, the first thought I had was, we barely have enough big bodies for a tight 5 (biggest meanest forwards in the scrum) in Rugby, how are we going to have both and offence and defence. Rob went on to tell the kids he would be setting up Football at my school. He then proceeded to tell the students to give him a call, and that he could give them jobs for the summer. <br /><br />My impression of Rob is that he really cares about Football, and having more football teams. He is also a guy that I found easy to talk to, very personable like a guy behind a bbq. Will this make him a good mayor. I don't know, I am not an expert on judging adults. This is just an interesting story I had about meeting Rob Ford during the campaign.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-40226565086833671432010-08-20T00:08:00.005-04:002010-08-20T15:44:30.321-04:00How to win the 2010 mayoral election!So, I put on my strategist hat tonight, and I realized that I could fix all the front runners campaigns. I figure if they hired me as a highly paid consultant I could have them in the big office in City hall by the end of October. So I am doing this all for free, I am telling each candidate how to win the election! They should print this up and use every suggestion I say! <br /><br />Rob Ford: Rob Ford has become the populist candidate, but he needs to come clean, do a big apology press conference about his past indiscretions with the law, then to go back to his regular campaigning. He is hitting notes with the public, and anyone who wins Scarborough and Etobicoke is destined to become mayor of Toronto. The honest truth is that Rob would never resonate with the downtown types, and that he should write them off with voter apathy and focus on the homeowners in the suburbs who are currently angry with the potholes in their neighbourhoods and what they see as downtown excess. A recent article called Rob the Barack Obama of the campaign, i would personally say he is the George Bush (year 2000 edition), a personable guy who should play up his little guy against the world side, and for the most part it is working. What would i change for Rob, he has to not deny anything, no more hiding. He needs some polishing on the statesman side of things. I'd offer to write some speeches for him, appealing to tax payers sensibility and to getting rid of potholes on roads across the city. Ford is the front runner, he needs to keep his torrid pace and keep hitting his popular notes about waste at city hall. His message to homeowners and taxpayers makes sense, and a lot of people agree with what he says, even if the downtown chatter classes are acting all offended. <br /><br />In his policies, Ford needs to do a few things. First, he needs to show us where all the waste is, and create a 4 year plan to cut waste at city hall, and maximize taxpayers dollars. Until he does this, a lot of educated professionals will be sceptical of Rod Ford's plans to cut government. I am one of these people. I ask Rob, where are you going to cut? And how do you plan to keep our city running if you are slashing things? It makes perfect sense to me that Ford has to put out some numbers and explanations for his plans this should be his main policy. If he doesn't put out some concrete fiscal management plans it will look more suspicious and amateur as the election looms closer.<br /><br />Rocco Rossi: Rocco needs to start taking shots at Rob Ford, as well as he has been at Smitherman. Unlike Smitherman, Rocco doesn't have any political baggage for Ford supporters to bring up. Rocco should start calling out Ford as a reason for council being dysfunctional in the past few years. I would go on the attack, and keep pushing yourself as the sane choice for fiscal responsibility. Talk about how you want to make real cuts at city hall, not just superficial ones that Ford will make. Become a real agent of change, Rocco needs to focus on the issues and attack, and get his message out there. I haven't really seen Rocco branding himself as a sane version of Rob Ford. Once again, he needs to hit the suburbs hard, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke are the key to winning the city. Out here is where all the homeowners are, and they tend to vote. Mel proved the key to winning Toronto on a centre right platform was through winning the suburbs, and Rocco needs to do this with his ground game. <br /><br />Rocco needs to continue to pound away with his message of fiscal responsibility, and he needs to really hit on the issues that are important to the people. The theme of the summer has been disenchantment with establishment at city hall, and Rocco needs to keep playing this up. Since he is in third right now, Rocco should go farther out, and his team should listen to the suburban voters, they are the key to winning the campaign. <br /><br />George Smitherman:<br />George's campaign has seemed to stumble around a lot. The media has not been very kind to his campaign. His policy website is chalk full of ideas for the city, but the average voter doesn't need 50 different ideas bombarded to them in their vision of Toronto. George Smitherman has a perception problem, first off, he is seen as a downtown big city Liberal. He lives downtown, his team is full of these downtown ideas, and often downtown thinkers are at odds with those of us who live in Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke. <br /><br />George has to play up his suburban roots, he has to get out of the Toronto Centre mindset and get the pulse of the voters elsewhere in the city. Out here we don't care about bike lanes (I think removing road lanes for bicycles is a bad idea on Jarvis, and I am an avid cyclist), we want roads that aren't filled with potholes, like Lawrence Avenue east of Kennedy. George needs to find a smaller vision to ensure election, he needs to silence the doubters with a more simple message, and keep the big thinking to after the election. <br /><br /><br />In a nutshell, this is what i think these candidates need to do to win the election. Will they listen to my advice? I doubt it. But they have some serious work to do to win.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-22473255670328286422010-08-12T17:55:00.002-04:002010-08-12T17:57:16.752-04:00Vote TO 2010In the next week, I am going to send out questionnaires to all the major candidates running for mayor. I hope they will answer them, because I think as an undecided voter and blogger, it would be interesting for them to answer some non-traditional questions. If you have any suggestions for questions, please send them to me, I am going to be contacting the campaigns tomorrow morning! <br /><br />Wish me Luck!Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-82458405310604566712010-08-04T15:14:00.005-04:002010-08-10T00:57:59.316-04:00UnderwhelmedSo the Toronto Mayors contest has become a political hacks dream. I am an undecided voter, and I am underwhelmed by all the candidates. Whether its Rob Fords idea to make council half the size, or Rocco Rossi wanting to sell off physical assets of the city, or George Smitherman focusing on issues that are Federal in nature and so 2003 (someone's opinion on gay marriage). To compound the silliness of this, going into someones past record would definitely drag some skeletons out of Smitherman's past. So its like taking a punch to someone, and that opens you up for a roundhouse kick in the face. <br /><br />This is what happens when the political hacks get the controls of a campaign. They use their extensive knowledge of politics in the past, and see the digging up and research of someones past as important. In the case of the Smitherman camp, I'd say a lot of downtown Liberals are going out on a limb to push Ford's former views on gay marriage, which have absolutely ZERO RELEVANCE in a Municipal election campaign. <br /><br />They forget that the people who vote in municipal elections are usually rich, and old, and that the suburbs have a huge role to play. Yes, Unless you get the retirees and the people in Scarborough and Etobicoke, you will not win the election. The only person who is really harnessing the suburban vote right now is Rob Ford. The angry homeowner is plentiful all over these areas, and Ford seems to have the momentum there from what i have read in both the local papers out east and in the citywide rags. <br /><br />My social media experience is this, fellow federal and provincial partisans taking shots at each other from their respective Rocco and George camps. Seriously guys, if you are volunteering you abilities, I suggest you use for a greater purpose than an online pissing contest. It makes both Liberal sides look like idiots and doesn't help an undecided voter like myself want to vote for either side. <br /><br />That is what I am getting at, I watch the facebook and twitter fights and I think damn, I don't want to vote for any of these candidates if their staffers and volunteers are going to just bait each other and smack talk. It has been a revelation to me, as an undecided voter, the level of toxicity that the partisans can get, and I have come to understand voter alienation only this summer, after voting in every election since I was 18 years old. <br /><br />The gist of my argument is this, if these people have this group of political hacks at the controls, what does it say about their ability to be mayor of the city? The guy in the chicken suit is hilarious if you are a political hack, but it smacks of amateurism for the average person who is more concerned about market value assessment and taxpayer value, than Rob Ford's opinion on aids 5 years ago. So this is basically a message to the Grits in the race, a wake up call so to speak. You guys need to get your houses in order, clean up your messaging, target undecided voters. The municipal vote base is so small compared to the equivalent Federal and Provincial that this race is wide open. <br /><br />Being the undecided voter, I wish all of you well in your campaigns, and I hope that one of the candidates can actually give me a reason to vote for them. That is all I am asking for, a reason.... Until then, I think I am going to sit this one out.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-44298475438811977832010-03-28T13:51:00.002-04:002010-03-28T14:21:32.537-04:00Canada and the World afternoon sessionSo far the panel is fairly interesting. The emphasis of this group is on NGO's and how they work at representing Canada around the world. To be honest I lost interest in this panel because it reminded me too much of a "me me me" panel. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I will be missing Michael Ignatieffs speech as I have to go to the airport. bad timing for a Sunday. Post mortem to come later on.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-78960076173574611602010-03-27T14:51:00.003-04:002010-03-27T17:35:39.270-04:00Canada and the digital worldHere are some random thoughts and observations from my spot on press row. The question line for this topic is much longer than any other. Highly appropriate considering the nature of this conference. This session hasn't turned into a parody of buzzwords and technobabble, it has very wide scope,and the questions have pushed the panel all over the digital map. <br /><br />My impressions of this group is that it is a very technologically driven group, and the consensus view is that Canada needs a national strategy for broadband, and for content in a digital world. <br /><br />The digital divide will hit Canada hard, unless they develop a strategy to improve our internet situation, a digital strategy so to speak, rather than making accessibility. The issue is that Canada has been left behind in terms of connectivity,and that we need to be innovative.<br /><br />Copyright<br />They tiptoed around copyright, taking a view that one shouldn't make laws on the go, I find that people are far too afraid about making big changes in copyright legislation. Just look at music industry and its problems. <br /><br />newsmedia<br /><br />Sheridan Scott believes that the news media has a place in the future, That the news media should continue to be a trusted source of news, even in our 24 hour economy. That the credibility that the news media has should keep it in its place, and that it should continue to do its job. The panelists addressed small communities and local reporting touting partnership between government and private enterprise to service smaller communities,<br /><br /><br />Culture<br />We need a strong national broadcaster with a strong voice for Canada in the digital world. The panelists continually have pointed the bbc and its player as a standard for what a national broadcaster should be as an example. <br /><br /><br />main recommendations<br /><br />Sheridan said that we should have clear national goals for digital economy, and that broadband is a ticket to future prosperity and be able to deliver cultural strategy<br /><br />Andre stated that its very important to celebrate an encourage our creativity, and the propensity of Canadians to create and government support the ability to create content, and we need to combine institutions and agencies in creature of culture, Minister of Culture and Communications necessary. Bringing together various levels.<br /><br />Glen to conclude, Government action needs to be defined in a free market to citizens rather than consumers. Base judges and actions based on citizenship. Cultural strategies geared towards inclusive citizenship.<br /><br />That's all for today.<br />thanks<br />-JamieJamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9499694.post-8070812456541826132010-03-27T13:38:00.004-04:002010-03-27T14:49:44.886-04:00Canada 150 Energy sessionThe North American energy Market<br /><br />Michael phelps takes a stand on carbon, that the best way to reduce carbon emissions is to tax it. That is best way to reduce it. Dan comments that carbon should have a price, either through the market or a carbon tax. Giving it a well established price, and or working both a market price and a carbon tax.<br /><br />Issue of devolutionis up,panelists not sure about power of the territories, Dan Gagnier dwels on the amount of hydro electric energy that is untapped in the north due to the lack of royalties offered to the aboriginal population. Hydro companies should form partnerships with these groups.<br /><br />The political football in the room is the carbon tax, and Phelps handles in interestingly, and is more nuanced tothe issue. Dan then talks about the implementation of the carbon tax, and how it must be brought in. I feel that a carbon tax is inevitable if people are logical rather then emotional about this issue,. <br /><br />In a nutshell, carbon should be taxed in a revenue neutral fashion, that the cap and trade system is more for making money, and that other parts of the world have already done this. In all honesty I found that this conversation was extremely adult, and nonpolitical, It was from a purely practical standpoint,and I found it very interesting. The panel brought a diverse group of questions and comments. Is the carbon tax a political football? I don't know, I should ask people outside this room.Jamie Callinghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824101713164895001noreply@blogger.com1