Monday, January 17, 2011

Federal Election

There is again talk of a federal election. The power-driven Prime Minister, Stephen Harper wants an election and a majority. Canadians don’t want an election. Someone apparently has to be blamed for causing the election. Harper says he doesn’t want an election, but is that the truth? The conservatives hold a 7% lead over their nearest rival opposition liberals in recent polling. With those polls who else would want an election?

I don’t care how you vote when a federal election is called, but be sure you are clear on who caused it. Prime Minister Harper may taint the budget just enough to cause any self-respecting opposition party to vote against it.

Prime Minister Harper wants an election, he wants a majority and he wants it bad. He sings a good tune and has some good moves. Why else would he be dancing all over the country singing songs of praise over the government he leads?

Yes, Stephen Harper will be the cause of the next election. If he wins a majority he will be the most domineering Prime Minister in the history of Canada. Who will lead the conservatives at the next election if he fails to win a majority?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Paul Jay Commentary

More at The Real News

Sarah Palin's Accusations

Sarah Palin is often controversial as are all politicians.  Any attempt to connect her in anyway to the recent Arizona shootings is irresponsible and despicable.  Regardless, this video is defensive, self-serving, carefully scripted and again controversial.


Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Afghanistan War

The never-ending war in Afghanistan may be doomed to another decade of fighting. The Afghan people are largely opposed to the Taliban, but the Taliban is fighting for their religion and their country and can likely fight forever. Getting the Afghans and Taliban to discuss how they can share power in a democratic model of government is the best solution.

The Taliban have no incentive to protect Al Qaeda and that could be the wedge issue. An agreement to share power within an Afghan regime that excludes Al Qaeda would likely be supported by NATO and the US. Al Qaeda is reported to be down to only 300 people. Although it is Al Qaeda the US wants after 9/11 it may possibly be achieved by getting the Afghans and Taliban to share power and by getting Pakistan unconditionally on side.

Unfortunately, the US has other interests, which is primarily establishing permanent residence via military bases in Afghanistan to protect their larger interests in the region. The Afghans and Taliban will oppose this indefinitely and it makes it more difficult to isolate or capture Osama Bin Laden who is believed to be still living somewhere in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border.

The US driven NATO presence in Afghanistan is one the US may have to fight alone. Afghanistan, the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Pakistan are not natural allies, but they do all oppose the US and any western presence in the region. It is time to push for peace through negotiations or get out of the region completely.

Finding Osama Bin Laden, defeating the Taliban, gaining the unconditional support of Afghanistan and Pakistan has eluded NATO and the US. It is a complex mess of religion and divergent views and objectives flowing from all sides. A military victory is highly unlikely. Continuing the fight in Afghanistan will see the needless loss of more lives on both sides and fail to satisfy the region or the US led NATO involvement. So why are we still there?

Monday, January 10, 2011

Tuscon, Arizona Shooting

My prayers go out to the families of those killed and injured in the Tucson, Arizona shooting. Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, is fighting for her life. It is time for prayer, sorrow and sympathy for the families. It is not the time for public debate over whether gun laws or hateful politics was the cause of this shooting. That debate should come later not now.

I understand the emotional political comments coming out of Arizona blaming mean-spirited politics and gun control laws. And blaming Sarah Palin’s website that used gun site targets on a political map targeting democrats including the district represented by Gabrielle Giffords. Palin’s website was cleaned up immediately after the shooting. Did that suggest her website was inappropriate?

I don’t understand the “John Gormley Live” talk shows’ attempt today to determine the cause of this tragic shooting. The show launched needless assaults on the left in a dispute over blame. This was untimely and insensitive. Gormley said he predicted the left would blame the right. How is that comforting?

It is known that one individual is in custody charged with the shootings. The cause of the shootings is not known and will never be determined on any radio talk show. These matters are best left to the professionals.

The tragic deaths of this event, including those of an innocent nine-year-old child, are what really matter. My comments are submitted with heartfelt sympathy for all affected by this sad event.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Harper Rules

Why are we talking about a federal election? Prime Minister Stephen Harper still believes the public has no appetite for an election. The liberal opposition has no appetite for an election. The polls currently indicate there is no hope for a majority government.

The Prime Minister is over obsessed with power. He often has a disdain for democracy and parliament. He has failed on his promise to run a more ethical and accountable government. The reality is the Harper conservatives are no better than the liberals. The voters are right. They are all the same and sometimes worse.

Further, the voters view Stephen Harper as the best person to rule on economic matters. Today he rules over one of the largest national debts ever and it continues to grow each day now standing over $554 billion. The conservative government claims they will balance the budget around 2015. But, they will need consecutive surpluses to pay down that huge debt. When will that be? The Prime Minister has asked that we all do our part and live within our means. With the means available to politicians that would be easy. How easy is it for you?

Finally, the voters need to vote for either the conservatives or the liberals and give one of them a clear majority government. This will remove the excuses for poor government and the constant election talk. And it will give Canada some hope for a brighter future.

Monday, January 03, 2011