kimmy

I agree with all of that. I wanted to point out that the issue is not as clear cut as compiling a list of Christian organizations that received government money. I support government funds being used to help humanitarian charities. I don't support government funs being used to "spread the good word". Perhaps some sort of guidelines should be in place? Would that be practical? -kimmy

Or whether Tucker Carlson really believes that a bow-tie is a stylish fashion accessory in 2005. I believe the answer is that the bow-tie, and Coulter's over-the-top barbs, is part of an image that's been created. During his rant, Jon Stewart compared Crossfire and its ilk to "pro wrestling"; his crack ("You're 35? And you wear a bow-tie?") wasn't a put-down so much as a comment on the theatrical nature of the production. Tucker Carlson's bowtie and Captain Insano's mask are just costuming, the difference is just in degree. Does Coulter *really* believe the US should attack Canada because we speak French? Probably about as much as Captain Insano really wants to hit his enemy with a chair. -kimmy

We should pause for a moment to ask what exactly qualifies as a "faith based group". Would Salvation Army or World Vision Canada be considered faith-based groups? If the federal government of Canada gave World Vision a grant for a humanitarian project in the tsunami zone, that could accurately be filed under government funding of a faith-based group, but I wouldn't consider it a blurring of the lines between church and state. Let's keep in mind that faith-based groups perform a large amount of charitable work, both in the US and in Canada; I suspect that a large portion of the money mentioned in this article was in support of that charitable work. -kimmy

Am I correct in assuming that it's because those in power fear that leaving the air travel industry to private business could mean drastic change and leave some Canadians without access to air travel? -kimmy

Yes. Despite all the devastating setbacks Alberta has suffered, at least we can take some consolation in having nice Lieutenant Governors (and with being the best and most prosperous part of Canada. ) -kimmy

Of course. It's very funny. -kimmy

In honor of tomorrow's Presidential Inauguration, here's a musical tribute to the President Bush that you can watch if you've got a speedy internet connection (or a lot of patience. ) "Gather 'round the ol' chuck wagon, It's a grand time we'll be havin', In the 4 years I have left in Wash-ing-ton!" Watch "The Second Term". Lefties will cheer, righties will at least laugh. -kimmy

This is apparently a developing story, with details not yet clear, but the guy on CTV News-net says that the trouble stems from an investigation into employee shenanigans with time-cards (ie, you punch me in when you get in, I'll punch you out when I leave, and we'll both get paid for more hours than we worked.) A hidden camera may have been used to investigate the situation, which hurt peoples feelings. The end result: hundreds or thousands of passengers unable to get out of Toronto. Hundreds or thousands more have arrived in Toronto and can't get their suitcases. This will of course affect flights all across Canada, as well. Planes are stuck. People are angry. -kimmy

I suspect that Coulter's raison d'etre is to sell books, newspapers, and radio/tv advertising, and that she's discovered that her over-the-top rhetoric is highly popular with her target audience. Whether she actually riles up liberals or not, it surely delights her fans to think that she does. -kimmy

Lois Hole's replacement has been announced. Normie Kwong named Alberta Lieutenant-Governor -kimmy

Certainly, the record of the accuser brings his credibility into question, particularly in light of the potential benefit to him. Then again, Sgro also has obvious reason to not tell the truth in this matter, and her track record is also not above suspicion, both in regard to getting campaign help from claimants (ie, that Romanian stripper) but another questionable incident at her campaign: Improper donation As I mentioned earlier in this thread, it seems to me that often the immigrants who have the means to get out of poor countries and come to Canada might often be people who know how to "grease the wheels". There are countries where bribes and graft are an unavoidable cost of doing business. There are people who have learned take advantage of such opportunities; it's certainly possible that Harjit Singh is an example of such a person. However, I think it's equally true that people in Immigration are in a position where someone will give them the opportunity to be on the receiving end of such good fortune. This thread started off discussing such a situation where immigration dept employees and eager immigrants teamed up to form a "win-win" scenario. Has Sgro herself done anything wrong? I'm interested to know what the investigation turns up. Meanwhile, back in Ottawa... Toronto Star update on As the Sgro Turns Article cites a "source" who alleges that the PMO knew much more, and much earlier, about shenanigans at Sgro's campaign than they've admitted. The mysterious source claims that Ihor Wons was brought to the PMO for questioning and forced to sign a letter promising that everything was on the level. A spokesperson for the PMO denies they had any firm evidence and says they merely asked Wons and Sgro about rumours. -kimmy

That was superb. I don't know if it has been mentioned here or not, but Tucker Carlson, aka "Bowtie", was axed by CNN recently. Verbal jousting with Carolyn Parrish was not a direct cause, nor was the verbal ass-kicking he received at the hands of Jon Stewart. However, in dismissing Carlson, CNN chief Jonathan Klein referenced Stewart's assertion that partisan bickering like Carlson and Coulter (and their counterparts on the left) engage in isn't constructive and doesn't contribute much to public debate. "I guess I come down more firmly in the Jon Stewart camp," Klein told The Associated Press. Yahoo! news article -kimmy

uh, I don't know if you've cracked open a newspaper in the past year, but yes, the Liberals have been caught granting favor in return for corporate donations. Ask Chuck Guite for details. -kimmy

PM Paul Martin travelled to India to discuss tsunami aid and trade. Unfortunately, politics from back home reared its ugly head when the head of the Sikh religion declared same-sex marriage to be "the product of a sick mind" and called for all Sikhs to oppose it. Pressed for opinions, Paul Martin cited a difference between civil marriage and religious marriage, and insists that no church, temple, mosque, or synogogue will be required to perform a ceremony contrary to its beliefs. India's PM, also a Sikh, was likewise uncomfortable discussing the issue in the presence of his guest, and said that he didn't feel it was appropriate to comment on Canada's internal affairs. Here in Canada, there are also ramifications of the Sikh pronouncement on gay marriage, as 6 members of the Liberal caucus are Sikhs, including highly-touted rookie Ruby Dhalla. One MP interviewed said that he had to obey his faith; Dhalla said she hadn't decided. Here in Canada, we've become quite used to Catholic politicians putting their beliefs on the back-burner when politics requests/requires them to do so. But, Sikhs are not Catholics; we'll see how this shakes out at a later date. -kimmy

I'd assumed you were trying to be a jack-ass and just wanted to let you know you were doing a great job! (did I err? if so, I'm sorry. well, slightly sorry.) -kimmy

Gimme a break Up yours, meat-head! Uh.... giving hugs? Clarkson is apparently in the Ukraine for the inauguration of their new government which was originally scheduled for today but pushed back a couple of days. That's a very good reason. I don't see why her office couldn't said that in the first place, instead of some vague blah-blah about a prior personal commitment. -kimmy

Interesting. Thanks. -kimmy

And now on the news I see sandbags, pumps, and flooded vehicles in Vancouver. Sounds awesome! -kimmy

My initial thought is that a Liberal Party of Canada enthusiast condemning politicians for getting donations from private business must have either a keen sense of humour or a numb sense of irony. -kimmy

Harjit Singh + family aren't the only ones saying the alleged meeting took place, if you read the article. I'm sure that Sgro and her lawyers will be bringing Harjit Singh's credibility into question as this unfolds. He's got motive to make something up, and he's done so in the past, so it goes without saying that we have to take what he says with caution. Anything to add? Or do you dismiss the allegations outright? -kimmy

If we are talking about internet people on internet message boards, then I would say no, it is not necessary to spell it out. If we are talking about the UN, or international human rights organizations, then yes, it's absolutely necessary to spell it out. We who just write messages about stuff have no particular obligations to uphold. However, organizations that wish to maintain an appearance of objectivity, credibility, and integrity can't overlook some offenses while targetting others. Israel is a target of criticism because of its human rights record, but I think quite obviously that's not the only factor. Israel is a target of criticism because with Islamist violence very much in the spotlight here in the west, Israel's role in Middle-East affairs is very prominent, which can not be said for oppressed people in China or North Korea or most other places where human rights are violated. I think it is fair to speculate that if Falun Gongists (?) were targetting westerners in terror attacks to bring attention to China's oppression of their beliefs, China's human rights would be much more widely discussed. Israel is a target of criticism because they're aligned with the United States. People who oppose the US role in the Middle East point to Israel as a factor. I think it's fair to speculate that if the US were closely aligned with India and had a large military force in northern India to "stabilize the region", India's human rights record would receive far more attention than it does. -kimmy

Apparently not everybody agrees... National Post: Clarkson skips memorial Isn't it supposed to be Clarkson's job to be at functions like this? If she can't even do that, what the hell do we have her for? -kimmy

There is NO difference. They are all people consisting of good, bad, ugly, and prejudiced. Context, caesar. Yes, of course there are all good, bad, and ugly among both immigrant and Canadian-born people of all faiths and traditions. Nobody is saying otherwise. The key point is that people born and raised in Canada have a very solid grasp of the rights they are provided in this country. Immigrants, on the other hand, might not. How confident are you that the immigrant women who wind up in these Sharia courts will understand the rights they have in Canadian society? Even the graduates of the Tehran Institute of Good Hajib, or whatever education they received back home, might be poorly informed as to what protections they're entitled now that they're in Canada. -kimmy

I heard yesterday that when Lois Hole was Chancellor at the University of Alberta, she gave every single graduate a hug at convocation. -kimmy

More on Judy Sgro's Party Central... Toronto Star: -witnesses support Sgro accuser Harjit Singh's claim. Canada's most famous strip-club patron Ihor Wons is claimed to have been at the meeting between Sgro and Harjit Singh. -Harjit Singh and family were involved in a credit card fraud scam. Not related to the article, but is "Singh" an honorific in the Sikh faith? I'm just wondering why Sikhs seem to often (always?) have Singh in their name. This is kind of interesting: PMO told Sgro to not let Ihor Wons resign. Globe 'n' Mail Why? The PMO didn't want Wons to quit? After he asked to resign because he was in trouble in the press? They wanted him to stay on the payroll? Intriguing. Just speculating... but maybe they wanted him on the payroll to keep him from going and blabbing to the media? -kimmy