Newless News

After having been hiding out at work all evening, I have finally just gotten home from flipping burgers and making milkshakes and am in desparate need of a shower... if only working fast food wasn't so greasy, perhaps I could come home after a shift not smelling like a giant french fry - however, I could not help but blog... blog, then shower... or blog, shower and blog some more before going to bed...

Seeing as everyone has posted something about the softwood fiasco, me rambling on about the same thing would be rather pointless... therefore, I will attempt to ramble on for a few minutes about whatever newspaper article grabs my attention... please note, that as I'm writing in my blog, I'm reading random articles at the same time... speaking of random... "blog" is quite the nifty word.

Okay... "Turkish politician charged with chewing gum at a ceremony for the country's founder"... interesting... "a military official accused Dalci of insulting Ataurk, the Anatolia news agency said. Dalci was charged and summoned to appear in court... Dalci said he had no intention of insulting Ataturk, but was chewing gum to freshen his breath after eating garlic" ... strangely enough that article made me chuckle - while I agree that perhaps it is disrespectful to chew gum at such a ceremony - I can't help but wonder, was he chewing some of that great tasting strawberry 'hubba bubba' chewing gum and blowing extravagant bubbles, or was he conservatively chewing on spearmint dubble-bubble chewing gum?

Will The Real Slimy Tory Please Stand Up?

Conservative MPs gave Stephen Harper a standing ovation during a closed-door meeting Wednesday when he told them he will not yield to criticism of the way the government commemorates military deaths... Flags on Parliament Hill will no longer be selectively lowered to half-mast when soldiers lose their lives.

Although I could understand how some families may not want to draw attention to their relative's death - what ever happened to lowering the flag in respect and acknowledgement of the sacrifice that person made for their country? I in no way whatsoever agree with Canada's role in Afhganistan - in fact, I also see this move by Harper to mirror that of our dear frightfully stupid neighbor George Bush... if Canadians don't see the coffins coming back, and the death tolls remaining to be a running tally scrolling on the bottom of the television screen, then one does not have to recognize how stupid it is to be over seas doing what we're doing. For whatever reason, people still believe that Canada is just doing some peacekeeping here and there, trying to help people rebuild their country... though I'm sure they've been disillusioned that it's not a war. It is a war which is bringing people home in coffins draped with flags, and causing people to silently weep as they've lost a loved one.

Have some respect Harper......

Wash Mouth Out With Soap

"Canada's top general is denying a report that the new Conservative government asked to approve his speeches" and "Prime Minister Stephen Harper also says there's no move to censor Gen. Rick Hillier" ... interesting...

Seems to me that they are are censoring, but not censoring - "I want to know exactly what you're going to say, and when you're going to say it, or no cookie before you go to bed"... I don't blame the government for already worrying about putting a leash on anyone that can communicate in one of Canada's two official languages... I mean, if someone says something that Harper doesn't want out, then he's kinda screwed isn't he? Too bad this censorship hasn't been working, look at how many Conservative MPs have been unable to keep their mouths shut thus far? It's actually kind of funny... and thanks to the headlines the Conservative government seems to capture everyday, I don't have to worry about running out of blog material.

However, if they're claiming that there is no such censorship... then why... "last week, an internal Conservative Party e-mail intercepted by Canadian media outlined a plan to slow the flow of communication between the party and the press... according to the e-mail, all forms of communication right down to notes letters to the editor, were to pass through the Prime Minister's office for approval." ... curious and curiouser... if they're not censoring... then what is up with wanting to frisk everyone for signs of English or French?

The Okanagan-Shuswap MP (which I regretfully have to say is my riding) was also sited as saying "I really value the ability to communicate through our local media in terms of effectiveness in Ottawa... i don't want to be corkscrewed with my political affiliation - I won't let them muscle me"... so... I take it that "corkscrewed" and "muscled" are code words for some very dirty Brokeback Mountain moments between politicians (ex: Harper and Emerson/Other Conservative MPs) OR another way of saying that there is some definate censorship going on... either way... being corkscrewed sounds wrong...

But... I suppose since we live in a constantly stealthily censored country that hides behind the mask of free speech, I guess that I shouldn't babble on about the little things that I've heard about Colin Mayes, the MP in my area that I previously mentioned... darn censorship... if it weren't for censorship, I suppose that I would go on to talk about how Mayes "is being sued for libel for allegedly making disparaging comments about fellow mayoral candidate Greg Husband during the last municipal election in Salmon Arm, B.C."

Liar, Liar Pants On Fire

I'm sure that Harper being in Burnaby and seeing an array of protesters is old news - though apparently it's not yet old news to the protesters, who "are still angry"; meh, I don't blame them... in fact, I would very much like to partake in a good wholesome Canadian protest. Harper claims to want to follow through with this and that, why doesn't he follow through with his "accountability" bullshit and follow through with all those smurf-like Conservatives who say that 'people should be able to TRUST their government'? I dunno, something tells me that if you're protesting, then you're not exactly trusting the head-cheese.

Then for Emerson to say "it's just that every once I nawhile the locusts descend on me and it creates situations that are a little abnormal, but I carry on with my work" - okay... so... voters are locusts... good one buddy - how about you stop sitting on Harper's lap, and do the right thing? I was listening to the news last night, and a man was talking about how many people voted Liberal because they didn't want a Conservative, and look what they got, a Conservative...
Keep on protesting you guys, I'll sprinkle some glitter on my anti-Emerson sign and hammer it onto my front lawn - the Conservatives on my block won't like it, but who cares? It's a lawn ornament...

Political Puppy Love

"Call Stephen Harper what you will, but don't call him a Conservative Casanova" (Canadian Press, 2006) - no problem, can do - he's not my type... I'm not into the slime-ball creepy Conservatives, thank you very much. And quite frankly, blue isn't one of my favorite colors - give me a nice mauve or crimson, perhaps a nice charcoal black.

The prime minister was quick to correct a New Democrat MP who accused him today of "seducing former Liberal David Emerson into switching parties. Harper reminded the House of Commons that his reputation is that of a bookish loner rather than a hot-blooded lothario.

Um... Okay... "bookish loner"... I have a variety of other adjectives that could be added as well, but I'm afraid none of them are too flattering. Though, I'm sure that someone finds that green flak jacket of his to be attractive - does not nothing for his expanding figure, but if he thinks he looks good then... what can ya do? Aside from throw him onto an episode of that television show "What Not To Wear" and a five-week intensive "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" boot-camp.

" 'I don't think I've ever even been accused of seducing anyone, even my wife,' he told chortling MPs." I'm sure he hasn't... but does someone who has never seduced have children? I'm a naive young-person... and according to the "birds and the bees" metaphore, there must've been some degree of seduction there... Unless of course he ordered his wife out of one of those mail-order-bride catalogues... Maybe e-bay... I'm sure sure how that system works...

Either way, I'm sure that there was some seducing of Emerson by Harper... it probably started off with a flirty smile, a gentle touch of the arm... letting out a quiet giggle at a stupid joke Emerson had made... I'm sure things eventually escalated to Stephen making a romantic mix-cd for David... perhaps passing notes written with pink cursive writing back and forth - daring to be caught by the Speaker... oh... I'm sure it was love at first sight... and what else is one to do while in love, but to give their lover a special place, not only in their heart, but parliament?

But... oh dear, oh my... what will ever happen when Harper and Emerson break up? Will Harper cry silently in a corner wondering what went wrong? Which one will say, "it's not you... it's me"? Will Emerson go run off and connoodle with Jack? Gilles? Or will Emerson slink humbly back to the Liberals, holding wilted daisies and a handmade glitter-card that says "I'm sorry"? It's a shame when true love fades...

Nothing good can come from political puppy love. Nothing... nothing but broken hearts, crazy love-triangles and salty tears.

Hetero, Homo & Politically Insane

Like most days when I have a long break between lectures, I like to sit and "chill" in the student lounge, scrolling through random newspapers and giving my friends an ear-full when something strikes my fiesty political opinion. Oh, it's grand being an opinionated university student... for that reason alone, I felt compelled to blog about the random articles that I have read this morning - and give my two-cents even if you already have a nickel and have no need for spare change.

First off... I read an article outlining the throne speech yesterday - needless to say, I wasn't cheering on the Govenor General as she read Harper's scripted eleven-page skit... I suppose if they used sock puppets instead, I would have been more amused.

Stephen Harper used his Conservative government's first
throne speech to set a course oward a more flexible federalism, greater respect
for Quebec and smoother relations with "our best friend" the United
States.

I'm sure the only flexibility there is going to be is if Harper takes up yoga classes every Tuesday and Thrusday night - or perhaps, be more flexible and stealthy in doing this and that and not be held accountable for their actions; case and point (thus far): the Emerson defection. As for greater respect for Quebec, I'm absolutely smitten with that province - it's particularly lovely during July (spent my summer there last year). As for the United States being our best friend, made me want to vomit... I'm sure the only thing that is going to come from this government is that we're going to become Ameridians... a disgusting mix of American and Canadian... I hope the romp in the hay with Bush is worth it for Harper... I'm sorry... that was so Brokeback Mountain...

Speaking of Brokeback Mountain, that got me thinking about the article "Tories to hold free vote on same-sex marriage says justice minister" that was in the news paper this morning. I don't know about you, but does Harper already have nothing better to do than bring up old news?

The federal Conservatives say they will follow through
on a campaign promie to hold a free vote in the House of Commons on same-sex
marriage... While the issue was not mentioned in Tuesday's throne speech,
Justice Minister Vic Toews says the vote will be held "sooner rather than
later." The Tory campaign platform says if MPs vote to overturn same-sex
marriage, a bill will be introduced to restrict marriage to unions between men
and women.

Who really cares? If two people loves eachother, they should be able to declare that by getting married, if they so chose to do so. Who cares if it's two men, two women, or a man and a woman? Hell, in the United States a woman was able to marry a freaking dolphin! Who cares?! As the Canadian for Equal Marriage says, "the issue should be put to rest".

I suppose that is all the rambling that I will do for today, I have a pb&j sandwich in my backpack that is calling my name, and the possibility of catching a few mintues of sleep before my next lecture.

Et... Erm, DM Phone Home

The Anti-Emerson Walk for Democracy protest was yesterday in Vancouver-Kingsway; it's a pitty that I wasn't able to go... I was the typical university student slaving away on multiple term-papers, however I must say... I'm damn proud of how many people showed up to defend what they believe for. It's obvious that the government and blue-tinged smurf-like Conservatives will be able to sweep people's disappointment and loathing under the carpet.

"'We're getting calls from all across Canada,' event organizer Mike Watkins, a Conservative, told the assembled crowd. 'There are De-Elect David Emerson signs in Nova Scotia.'" Wonderful - I wonder where I can get one of those signs... maybe get a blimp saying that, though in a Conservative riding I'm sure that would get a few reactions... n that I'm scared of Conservatives at all - good luck them chasing me out of town with their pitch forks and torches , because GASP (!) I'm a Liberal.

I got a comment a few days ago to the effect of 'there wer 70,000 people who would argue against the protesters'... if that were so true, why is it that people across the country are banding together PROTESTING against Emerson? Obviously there is reason behind it, people voted for a LIBERAL canidate - and what does he do? Nothing more can be said other than their vote was abused. Hell I'd be just as angry if the canidate I'd voted for switched over just because "he wanted to"

So, thus I conclude my blog for today, by applauding those hundreds of people that walked for democracy. That truely was an amazing thing to see.