Rural and Right

Steven Harper on the Piano in HD

2009-10-07T17:13:00.006-04:00

Over 400,000 views of the viral video of Stephen Harper playing 'With a Little Help From My Friends' at the 2009 NAC Gala, and the video is now available in HD!

Iffy's hand on heart truth ?

2009-05-12T18:14:00.003-04:00

When Iffy was asked in March 2005 about leaving Harvard ... he told the Toronto Star that he had no intention of changing careers.

“I have the best job in the world, and I can’t see any foreseeable circumstance where I want to change. And that’s the hand-on-heart truth,” - Michael Ignatieff, March 2005

Source: The Harvard Crimson

Iggy - Just Visiting

I just wonder if Iggy's leave of absence at Harvard has been extended in anticipation of his return to the USA.

The Rules Of Rural Ontario Are As Follows

2009-04-21T16:29:00.003-04:00

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.
2. Turn your cap straight, your head isn’t crooked.
3. Let’s get this straight; it’s called a ‘dirt road.’ I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you’re going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.
4. They are cattle. They’re live steaks. That’s why they smell funny to you. But they smell like money to us. Get over it. Don’t like it? Hwy 7 & 401 goes east and west, Hwy 15 & 416 goes north and south. Pick one.
5. So you have a $60,000 car. We’re impressed. We have $150,000 combines and hay balers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.
6. So every person in rural Ontario waves. It’s called ‘being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
7. If that cell phone rings while an 8-point buck and 3 does are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don’t have it up to your ear at the time.
8. Yeah, we eat meat and potatoes. You really want sushi & caviar? It’s available at the corner bait shop.
9. The ‘Opener’ refers to the first day of deer hunting season. It’s a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.
10. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.
11. There’s little for ‘vegetarians’ on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef’s Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.
12. When we set a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
13. You bring ‘coke’ into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.
14. You bring ‘Mary Jane’ into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.
15. Ontario Hockey League and Minor Hockey is as important here as the Maple Leafs and Montreal Habs, and more fun to watch.
16. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don’t hit the water hazards — it spooks the fish.
17. Colleges? We have them all over. We have Universities and Community Colleges. They come out of there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.
18. We have a whole ton of folks in the Armed Forces. So don’t mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.
19. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap isn’t music, anyway. We don’t want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers. (Refer back to #1).
20. TWO inches of snow & ice isn’t a blizzard - it’s a vacation. Drive in it like you have some sense, and DON’T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This isn’t Alaska, worst case you may have to live a whole day without croissants. The pickups with snow blades and tractors with snow blowers will have you out the next day.
21. Keep your politically correct crap to yourself.
H/T

LPC 'in and out' fund raising

2009-03-30T12:38:00.006-04:00

The LPC continues to raise funds for its Leadership 'non race', in what appears to be a scheme for an 'in and out' transfer of money to the LPC that effectively raises the yearly personal contribution limit by $1,100.

Liberal.ca

2009 Leadership Candidate Donations
To make a contribution to support a Liberal Party of Canada Leadership contestant please click their name below.
Michael Ignatieff
Bob Rae

Michael Ignatieff

Thank you for considering a donation to Michael’s Leadership Campaign. We need your financial contribution to make Michael's campaign possible. Michael is committed to running a campaign that is financed by a broad-base of Canadians contributing small amounts. Federal tax credits make it easier to give. Donations are eligible for a tax credit of up to 75%. If all of us pitch in, we can make this happen –for Michael and for Canada.

Bob Rae

The maximum contribution you can make to Bob's leadership campaign is $1,100. If you reach that limit you can still help by donating a maximum of $1,100 per year to Bob's riding association and an additional $1,100 per year to the Liberal Party of Canada.

H/T: Angry in the Great White North

Corb Lund and the Detroit Three Bailout

2009-02-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

The Great Depression Part Two?

2009-02-06T15:58:00.006-05:00

To all the doomsayers, pessimists, and Chicken Little's, yes we are in a recession. But to run around screaming "the sky is falling ... the sky is falling ... run to the cave .., run to the cave", and speak of terms of a depression, I am telling you to give your head a shake.

Current unemployment figures are up in this recession as expected, up to 7% of employable people, and the fact is that women were not included in the unemployment figures of the Great Depression of 1929-1939 where unemployment of the labour force (mostly men) was at 30%. By today's standards of equality, men and women are equally employable, and based upon the Great Depression standard of measuring unemployment, today's rate of unemployment would be 3.5% or conversely depression rates would be 60% unemployment. From an optimists point of view 93% of Canadians are employed today in a tough economic time.

I am sorry, Chicken Little's, the sky is not falling, and we are not in a depression, and yes the end is near ... the end of low stock prices ... and the end of the recession ... pessimism is doomed.

Liberals Breaking Rank

2009-02-03T15:14:00.007-05:00

Professor Iggy will "allow" his Newfoundland MP's to break rank and vote against the budget "one time", thus once again begins the Liberal hand sitting in Dion fashion. Six of Iggy's Newfoundland Liberal MP's will vote against the budget in "protest to signal their displeasure".
Danny Boy Williams Liberal friends are on Iggy's probation along with the Conservatives and must write three timely reports on staying with the the Liberal collective mind... or else...

... or else Professor Iggy will make them write on the chalk board 100 times.

I will not vote against our appointed Liberal Tsar...
I will not vote against our appointed Liberal Tsar...
I will not vote against our appointed Liberal Tsar...
I will not vote against our appointed Liberal Tsar...

O Canada - True Patriot Love

2009-02-02T10:42:00.009-05:00

Another excellent example of Canadians 'Standing up for Canada', Belleisle Elementary in Springfield New Brunswick, has been ordered to once again play our national anthem O Canada before classes begin.

Belleisle Elementary in Springfield stopped playing the anthem in September 2007 after two families complained about the practice.
A superintendent for School District 6 says a flood of calls and emails from across the country convinced the board to reinstate the anthem.

The issue made it to the House of Commons last week when New Brunswick MP Mike Allen said the anthem’s banning amounted to "political correctness run wild."
Belleisle principal Erik Millett defended the decision by saying only a few people had complained about the change. (Chronicle herald)
Susan Boyd, whose daughter Julie attends Belleisle Elementary, is pleased with the decision, but her fight isn't over.
A petition is circulating and people in the community would like the province to introduce legislation on the playing of the anthem in schools. New Brunswick Education Minister Kelly Lamrock has said he will do everything in his power to make morning signings of O Canada mandatory. (CTVNews)

A great job by Canadians pressuring Parliament and School District 6 to reinstate the playing of the national anthem now lets have O Canada legislated as mandatory daily singing in all schools across this great nation of ours.

God bless Canada, Canadians and our schools. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed ... um never mind that was banned from schools long ago in the name of Political Correctness. __________________________________________________

Update: Although we have a Victory, with the daily singing of the O Canada being reinstated to this school, Erik Millett has decided that it is in his best interest to take O Canada to the Human Rights Commission.

"The only thing I really have to say at this point is that I have contacted the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission and I will be pursuing the question of accommodation around this issue of through the Human Rights Commission and hopefully some clarity will come from the ruling they provide." (said Millett)

Political Correctness is the greatest threat to our freedom.

O Canada we stand on guard for thee.

They're Baaaaaaack ... Separatism

2009-02-01T09:46:00.014-05:00

Only a few days after the breakup of of the Coalition for Kanada, made up of the Separatist Block, NDP, and Liberals. Gilles Duceppe is once again talking about Quebec separation.

"Our goal is as pertinent as ever," Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe said at a party meeting in St-Hyacinthe, Que., yesterday. "In 2008, Bloc and Parti Quebecois victories brought hope to sovereigntists. It's up to us now to translate this hope into action."

These words of separatist "hope" right after weeks of the Liberals trying to explain to Canadians that separatism doesn't exist anymore, attempting to justify their Coalition with the Separatist Bloc.

It Looks good on the NDP and Liberal Party of Canada MP's, each signing the Coalition deal with the 'traitors' from the Bloc. I would even go so far as to suggest that by making this deal with the separatists to over throw the government, makes the NDP and Liberals traitors to Canada along with the Bloc. All this should make for good commercial material when the next election comes with that Separatist smell sticking to the Liberal Party.

Remember the Coalition deal that was signed between the Bloc Separatists and the Liberal Party? ....

O Canada - stand on guard for thee

2009-01-30T09:15:00.013-05:00

Belleisle Elementary School (Springfield, N. B.) principal Erik Millett of the green party removed the daily singing of our National Anthem O Canada, because a few parents found it to be offencive.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Were those offended, feminists offended by the non gender neutrality of "True patriot love in all thy sons command"?
Were they communists offended by singing "The true north strong and free"?
Were they atheists, or worshipers of more then one god, offended by "God keep our land glorious and free" ?
Were they pacifists offended by "O Canada we stand on guard for thee"?

Were those offended also offended by the french version of O Canada?

O Canada! (translation)
Land of our forefathers
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic of the most brilliant exploits.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.

If you are offended and don't like our national anthem, because it fails to meet your politicaly correct vision of a homogeneous 'pinko' Kanada, don't sing along.

O Canada! we stand on guard for thee.

Professor Iggy backin' down and lovin' it.

2009-01-28T19:45:00.006-05:00

The Coalition is dead, the budget will pass, and Professor Iggy wants 3 essays on the budget progress ... or else.

Liberals 'backing down and lovin' it' ... once again.

Long lost Iggy videos uncovered.

2009-01-20T18:50:00.003-05:00

Iggy - The Missing Years
Professor

Comments from the Harvard Ivory Tower

Flip flop policy

Will Iggy also drop his Kyoto plans?

2009-01-17T13:54:00.021-05:00

I hesitantly agree with Iggys un-Dionish position of defending the Alberta Oil sands.

Iggy may have seen the light that the real pollution problem is not in Fort McMurray, but in other major Canadian cities such as Toronto.

There goes the Oil patch hating Liberal vote to the NDP and Greens.

Michael Ignatieff is known supporter of Canada paying into Kyoto. Not to long ago he was slamming the Conservative government for not ratifying the Liberal Kyoto deal of which Prime Minister Harper had said would require such drastic energy cuts it would ruin the Canadian economy. Perhaps Iggy will flip-flop on his illusion of Canada living up to the Liberal Kyoto commitment next.

Where does Iggy now stand on Kyoto after attempting to warm up to the Oil Patch? The last thing we need right now is more Liberals wanting to send our money out of Canada to pay for the 'theory' of Global Warming.

Could Iggy be playing the Liberal bait and switch pre-election plan, like Liberal Red book promise of eliminating the GST?

Just last year Iggy wrote on visiting the oil sands, " I haven't seen anything more exciting or more troubling in my travels this year". I wouldn't be surprised if he also liked "the smell" of oil being extracted from the sand.

Over all I think that Iggy is playing wishy-washy politics to get votes. He is rather good at saying much while saying nothing at the same time, and I believe because of that fact Iggy will framed as the wishy-washy intellect that he is.

Mr. Ignatieff, your intellectual stand on issues is comparable to that of the stand of a wet noodle.

Shootings up 18% in Toronto = Confiscate farmers guns now?

2009-01-16T14:31:00.018-05:00

It seems that the billion dollar long gun registry, ban on shooting ranges, and the 'pixel dust' for pistols program is working 'fairy tale' wonders for reducing gun criminal numbers in Toronto.
"just a little bit of pixel dust" ... "think of the happiest things" ...

How many shootings by criminals this year in Toronto so far, 5 ... 6 ...? I have lost track already.

Gun crime a top police priority in 2009
Attacking the problem of gun violence in Toronto will continue to be a police priority for 2009, says the city's police chief.
"I am concerned about the number of shooting crimes, because that is the one type of criminal activity that we have seen go up," Bill Blair told CTV Toronto in a year-end interview.
"Although there's been fewer murders in the city, what we've seen is there's been more shooting occurrences."
Toronto police maintain a web page that shows year-to-date shootings. As of Dec. 15, there have been 236 shooting incidents in the city, an increase of 18 per cent over 2007. The number of victims is up to 336, about a 42 per cent increase over 2007. (...)

I have killed 3 or was it 4 porcupines this winter that have been chewing on our trees, and tractor. The police just haven't caught on to my porcupine murdering spree ... oh well perhaps they are busy with real criminals.

I am a free Canadian

2009-01-16T06:06:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite Conservative Quotes

"I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong, or
free to choose those who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind."

Prime Minister John Diefenbaker

UAW to strike ?

2009-01-09T16:35:00.013-05:00

Today there were hints of the UAW striking at GM and Chrysler to protest cuts in their $75 an hour compensation.

Hasn't anyone warned the stubborn UAW that they are about to help push the hand that feeds them (and the arm and body attached to it) over a cliff!

I can reluctantly understand one Bailout/Loan for GM and Chrysler but I doubt there will be another. As for the shrinking CAW they say they won't accept a ban on Automotive sector strikes like there is in the USA as reported in the Calgary sun today.

The president of the Canadian Auto Workers says his union won’t accept a ban on strikes similar to one detailed in the U.S. as a condition of US$17.4 billion in loans to Chrysler and General Motors. Ken Lewenza said the CAW has not yet been
informed of any conditions attached to C$4 billion the federal and Ontario governments have agreed to lend to Chrysler and GM

Bans on strikes in tough economic times, and failing auto companies, sure make them Unions pout more then usual.

I believe that the Unions are tied at the ankles to GM and Chrysler and if they strike it will be suicide for UAW employees.

On the bright side there are new Toyota factories in Woodstock, Ontario and Texas, ready to ramp up to take over market share. They are ready to give the economy 7 jobs for every Automotive Job, all part of the reality of the free market system, and survival of the fittest.

Iggy and "US Americans"

2009-01-08T13:59:00.005-05:00

More important, credible and valid insight into the new leader of the failed Coalition with the NDP and the Separatist Bloc, "US Americans", Michael Ignatief.

THE WAY WE LIVE NOW; The Year of Living Dangerously
By MICHAEL IGNATIEFF
Published: March 14, 2004
New York Times Magazine

A year ago, I was a reluctant yet convinced supporter of the war in Iraq. A year later, the weapons of mass destruction haven't turned up, Iraqis are being
blown up on their way to the mosque, democracy is postponed till next year and my friends are all asking me if I have second thoughts. (...)
We thought we were arguing about Iraq, but what might be best for 25 million Iraqis didn't figure very much in the argument. As usual we were talking about ourselves: what America is and how to use its frightening power in the world. (...)

Coalitions and that King Byng thing

2009-01-06T15:25:00.006-05:00

After the October 1925 election the King Liberals formed a Coalition with the Progressive Party giving the coalition the majority of seats to form the government putting the the Conservatives in official opposition.

Only 8 months after Kings Liberal/Prog. Coalition formed it was doomed to fail, King asked GG Byng for an election, GG refused and King stepped down. Conservative leader Arthur Meighen formed a minority government that was supported by the house for 4 critical votes. On the fifth vote the Government was defeated and an election was called.

The Liberals, NDP and Bloc did not take the option to to ask GG for them form the government at the dissolution of the 39th parliament, or at the formation of the 40th parliament.

In the case of the current 40th parliament the throne speech was given and supported by the house, affirming the Conservatives as the Official Government of Canada, and the confidence was given immediately after the reading of the fiscal update. There was full knowledge of the dreaded $1.75 per vote taken from the precious political party trough and the Conservative Government was given Confidence of the House.

The King/Byng affair was the last time in Canadian History that our GG disregarded the advice of the Prime Minister. http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/federal_politics/clips/11688/

Then we also have the War time Coalition Government lead by Robert Borden from 1917-1921

And further back in Canadian historty the Great Coalition of American Civil war time.

Iggy and the Stooges

2009-01-05T12:31:00.008-05:00

The Coalition is defunct, Iggy never fully supported it with his wishy washy statement "Coalition if necessary, but not necessarily a Coalition".

An NDP/Liberal Coalition has no guarantee, that GG will not call an election, if Jack, Gilles, and Iggy's parties vote the budget down. The NDP's 37 seats + the Liberals 76 seats forming a NDP/Liberal Coalition with 113 seats falls short of the Conservatives 143 seats.

I believe GG would call an election, if Iggy and the Stooges vote down the budget or any other future confidence motions.

According to our (22 pound contract) "it's not my Job"

2009-01-03T13:28:00.004-05:00

Some say the unions aren't to blame for the problems of the Detroit Three. But contracts between the CAW/UAW and Ford, GM, and Chrysler certainly have tied the hands of the companies, and contributed to their collective problems.

But really, 'it's not my job' to say, as it states in section 312, part seven, paragraph twelve of the above contract.

http://server1.laborpains.org/?p=1130

CAW/UAW Vultures

2008-12-30T18:43:00.006-05:00

I am a proud employee of Honda of Canada, we have amazing teamwork and spirit at Honda and I believe it contributes to the high quality of our vehicles. Then we have the Detroit three and their UAW/CAW who must be desperate for new cash donors. The CAW was hovering like vultures as we were going home to our families after work two days before Christmas shutdown. I said to the Vulture as he attempted to hand me his propaganda, "Your union has sure helped you out ... helped you right out of a job."

The Three Stooges of the Coalition

2008-12-30T14:33:00.008-05:00

I thought I would start my blog off with a photo that I added captions to. From the smug look on Dion's face one would assume that he had absolutely no idea how soon he would fall and become the first LPC leader in Canadian history to not become PM.