Hydraboss

Wow. What an unmatched show of stupidity. Nice comments, Saturn. Have you ever put any thought into your replies, or can we all look forward to this type of nonsense from now on? Come back when you get out of high school.

Hey Biblio, speaking of predictions...... With the Mountie in it? Did you want some ketchup?

Somewhere else, I read Stelmach described, IIRC, as the "kind of guy who parks your uncle's tractor". I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand these descriptions accurately. Can someone here who knows Albertan politics put the rest of us into the picture? Who is this guy? ---- Found the link: Ukrainian? Stelmach? Let me clarify my earlier comments. Ed Stelmach is from Andrew, Alberta, a primarily Ukrainian town east of Edmonton. He is the type of guy that you remember as being the soft-spoken social studies teacher you had in grade 10. Very down to earth, definitely not prone to any quick decisions. Strong ties to the rural parts of Alberta. This is all good. (My father's family were/are all farmers from southern Alberta and this guy reminds me of most of my uncle's). My daughter's godfather and his parents are from Andrew and know Ed. I asked them yesterday what they thought of his win, and they just shook their heads (that it wasn't good). Concensus from my circle of friends is that Ed doesn't have the balls to tell anyone what to do (his caucus) nevermind how he will attempt to deal with Ottawa. I can't imagine him trying to sit down with George W's government the way Klein did. The reference to the "uncle's tractor" was not a negative comment aimed at farmer's. Anyone who is from rural Alberta knows at least one guy that your uncle used to count on to get the farm work done if he was sick or in Vegas. Ed is that guy. Too meek to say no, and always wants to be the guy that everyone knows as "a nice guy". Ed would have made a great Social Development minister. Or Agriculture minister. Premiere? Oooohhhh. Not so sure about that one. We'll see I guess. Ed! Resist the urge to pay the teachers what they have not earned!!!! Don't do it, Ed.

10:34pm Dinning 30000+ Stelmach 25000+ Morton 21000+ Still waiting on first ballot results. Looks like a Stelmach run-away

The only major problem I have with Eddie is that he plans on giving the teachers unions the unfunded portion of the teachers pension (that they somehow forgot to pay) to the tune of several billion of my tax dollars. Other than that, I wouldn't mind having a Ukrainian premier that sounds like he just parked his uncle's tractor. Would definitely be a change, and that would be good. I can only hope that his cabinet shuts him down on the motion. Of course, my 9 year old could probably push Eddie around.

You da genius. Dinning 28000+ Stelmach 25000+ Morton 21000+ 10:17pm Pleeeeaaasssseeee not Dinning!

9:47pm Stelmach - 17089 Dinning - 17051 Morton - 13659 Double damn.

Global television 9:37 pm Saturday: Dinning 13000+ Morton 10000+ Stelmach 12000+ Damn. This sucks.

What if they decided to stoke the "anti-west" sentiment? You know, environmental issues, the west is evil (ala Chretien), etc... Dion doesn't have a hope of increasing Liberal fortunes west of Winnipeg, so he really has nothing to lose. If he could start the east vs west fire again, he may stand a chance of gaining votes. There may not be any real issues to increase partisanship in the country and therefore be able to exploit, but he could try and create one.

You are correct. The seperatist movement will sit in wait until those people you speak of step up. The question is, who will bell the cat? Maybe me...maybe Geoffrey. We'll have to wait and see. The hicks will never be elected; Albertans in general are hot tempered when it comes to politics, but they are not stupid.

Everyone must play on their strengths. For anyone who has followed him closely, what are Dion's strengths? What sets him apart from other Liberals, and could conceivably give him an edge? I'm curious.

You can check my name if you like. I have no alias here. 1988. Manitoba election. Alberta separation will remain just what it is: a fringe element if people don't step up, declare themselves and run full out. Maybe the tone of my last post was incorrect. I meant what I said; you've run so you know. It's not as easy as "screw it, I'll run" when you have a family. What if you won?

Are you referring to the AA as the "third party"? Not that long ago, they wouldn't even have scored that high. Dion won the leadership, and if Dinning wins the leadership, the AA may just move into #2.

He was asked by Robertson when he was going to retire....and he didn't give an answer. Maybe Dion is just a puppet?

So does this mean that Dinning is a Liberal plant? I have no problem believing that he is a plant, but a Liberal one?

As do I. If you ran as you say, then you know that there is a huge difference between giving your all, and giving it all. I am more than willing, but I have a family to think about. It would have to be with their blessing or no go. But you've run, so you know. Edit: And believe me, the pay cut is not just an excuse. It's a reality.

Were I Dion, I would go for the throat immediately. When you've got the party momentum as he does right now, you don't wait for the rest of Canada to figure out who you are or what you stand for. He should play on Harper's lying about the income trusts, and Afgan.. I would hate to see the Lib's win, but if they are to have any hope, it had better be sooner than later. Once the ROC gets to know Dion and equates him with Kwebek, he's done. He better do it quick.

Wow, you amaze me with your unequivicable knowledge of federal politics! p.s. - I think you meant Finley and HER lackies. Oh....... I didn't know that Doug Finley was a she. Learn something new everyday. Thought you meant Martha Hall. My apologies. (picture me looking sheepish with at least one foot in my mouth)

Doesn't have to make sense, as far as the West is concerned. If he's from Kwebek, he's french and he's liberal. This does not play out here.

And run as a candidate? I may consider it. The problem is I would have to take a substantial cut in pay, and I'm not sure the wife would approve (we are all slaves to something...she's my thing). I do fit the profile, though. Mid-thirties, non-lawyer professional, two kids (both in elementary), wife is a union nurse, I am anti-union, good-looking (like there was any doubt!). I may consider it.

Wow, you amaze me with your unequivicable knowledge of federal politics! p.s. - I think you meant Finley and HER lackies.

I will be.

The Alberta Alliance, up to this point, has been about as useful as a bladeless knife without a handle. That being said, if Dinning wins (Federal Liberal) and Dion in Ottawa (Federal Liberal), watch them gain momentum. It takes very little to piss off Albertans in general, and we are prone to completely changing directions when backed into a corner. If Dion were to win a federal election in the spring, I would predict that the Alberta Alliance would form the official opposition, if not the government in this province.

I hear a lot of Albertans here that they are separatists. Time to run or actually vote for a separatist party, I think. Or is it all talk? What party will you vote for? When will you put your name on a ballot? As I have stated previously, I tried to put my name on a federal ballot but the Bloc wouldn't let me. As for a seperatist party, I will vote for the Alberta Alliance in about two years. I have no interest in voting federally anymore. I have no interest in any national party anymore. I have no interest in who runs Canada anymore. It will not matter if Stephen or Stephan leads the country, they will screw Alberta. jd, you can keep your federal parties and your country.

Unfortunately, with "I'll turn my back on Alberta" Harper, a CPC majority will be no better for Albertans. He will continue to pander to eastern Canada. The only thing that can protect Alberta is a made-in-Alberta party. And seperation.