Finesse Mitchell has got an eye for ShaKobe Hands!

Finesse Mitchell's Best Story Ever via the Hour

United States Congressmen Jim Kolbe

I was fortunate to have former United States Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-Arizona) give a guest lecture in my American Politics class today. Kolbe, who retired in 2007, served in the House of Representatives for 22 years, sitting on the extremely powerful House Appropriations Committee and even chairing the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs. He was also openly gay (Kolbe was one of two gay Republicans to have ever served in Congress) and was considered as one of the most moderate Republicans on Capitol Hill during his tenure. In addition to this, Kolbe was a key figure in the formulation of American trade policy over the last two decades, including playing significant role in the creation of NAFTA. Needless to say, I was lucky to see him speak as he brought some unique insight to the American Polity.

Kolbe discussed key issues in contemporary American Politics, including the current Presidential Election. Despite being “a close friend to John McCain for 22 years,” he thinks that Barack Obama, as well as Democrats running for the Congress and Senate, will win easily come Tuesday. However, Kolbe warned that Obama could be the next Jimmy Carter, and that the Democrat domination of Washington would lead to even increased levels of partisanship.

Kolbe also devoted a fair bit of time to the increasingly partisan nature of Washington. He attributes this to two main reasons: a lack of socialization among members of Congress and institutional failures. Kolbe argues that members of Congress are spending less and less time together, missing the opportunity to socialize and develop relationships. This has made it easier for members to “attack” and “say nasty things” about each other.

He also noted that the partisan motivations behind the drawing of congressional boundaries (as redistribution of the 435 districts represented in the House of Representatives happens every ten years and the State legislatures have the ability to redraw the boundaries) has resulted in the disappearance of centrist politicians and has led to increased political polarization. The party in control of the State Legislature usually draws boundaries to most benefit their national party.

As a result, a majority of Congressional Districts have become uncompetitive, in the bipartisan sense. Rather, the real competition Congressmen face comes from those who challenge them in the Democratic or Republican Primaries of these districts (akin to Canada’s party nomination meetings).Since they exclusively deal with committed party members, candidates position themselves to be most attractive to these individuals and this usually means moving sharply to the right or left, depending on your party. Since they exclusively deal with committed party members, candidates position themselves to be most attractive to these individuals and this usually means moving sharply to the right or left, depending on your party. Since there is no need to appeal to members of the other party, or even independents, they can be overly partisan and have drifted away from the center to secure the limited ideological range of their party members.

Kolbe also talked about his experience as an openly gay politician and as a prominient member of the Republican Party - a party that is fervently fighting the expansion of gay rights. Although he had not personally been treated adversely as a result of his sexual orientation, he was clear in his disappointment when it came to the Republican position on the civil rights of gay Americans.

Insightful stuff.

"How is Senator Obama not a Marxist?"

I just got a chance to see this interview between Barbara West and Joe Biden in its entirety...

"How is Senator Obama not a Marxist?"

A fine example of Gotcha Journalism.

In the Midst of Paper Writing...

Some thoughts on my mind :

1. Follow:

Price of Oil Today: US$63.22

Price of Oil when the Alberta Budget was calculated: US$78

This might cause us a problem.

2. In March of 2007, the Alberta Health Ministry shut down St. Joseph's General Hospital in Vegreville due to issues over improper sterilization procedures. Today, the Alberta Health Ministry announced that improper sterilization procedure and multiple patient syringe use has put nearly 3000 patients at the High Prairie Health Complex in High Prairie at risk of infection. These two cases have occurred in less than 20 months, and have led to thousands of Albertans being placed at serious health risk. How deep is the problem? Is there a link between the two cases? Did poor procedures, policies or management play a role? I think the public deserves answers, and "mistakes will be made" is not good enough.


3. "Change that Works for Albertans" - I don't know about that.

4. The Harper Cabinet will be interesting. Harper, once again, has a lot of high quality of candidates in Alberta but a limited selection of high quality candidates in Quebec. He'll be treading a thin line when picking, but let's hope that some Alberta MPs get their due as Minister.

*Cough* Rajotte *Cough*

Wassup 2008

How times have changed.

Documentary on Alberta Oilsands and Cancer Rates Shortlisted for Oscar

Leslie Iwerks’ Downstream, a short documentary dealing with Dr. John O’Connor’s findings of high cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan, has been shortlisted for an Oscar.

Congratulations to Iwerks, Dr. O’Connor, the people of Fort Chipewyan and those fighting to raise awareness to this issue.

Let's hope this leads to some real action on the issue.

Background.

Speaking of which, when is that ‘comprehensive review’ supposed to be released?

(h/t Ken Chapman)

Ed Stelmach: Managing Growth? What Are You, A Communist?

Wednesday, October 22 2008 - Afternoon Oral Question Period Session

Kevin Taft, Leader of the Opposition:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government can’t control the price of oil, but it could have controlled the rampant increases in costs by simply managing growth. Will the Premier admit that by ignoring industry requests, requests from former Premier Lougheed, and just about everyone else to manage growth, this government has made a serious mistake?

Premier Ed Stelmach:

Obviously, now we see the true colour of the Leader of the Opposition. He sure as heck isn’t a capitalist, talking about managing growth through the government. Sounds more like what they were doing in the former Soviet Russia.

(Page 1469-1470 of the Alberta Hansard/Page 5-6 of PDF file)

“.... in politics, the only way to change the game is to win it ...”

If I could sum up “Dave Taylor’s White Paper: The Future of the Alberta Liberal Party” with any one line from the 41 page document, this would be it. From Taylor’s recommendation of cataloguing the specializations of the party’s membership to adopting new official party colours, this document is designed for the party to take a much more pragmatic approach to Alberta politics. It’s designed to reorient the party in a much more versatile and effective way, by focusing on being more connected and representative of the Albertan people, through a revitalization and expansion of its grassroots support and further integrating the party with new technologies.

In the document, Taylor signals the need for the party to revitalize and expand its grassroots membership, by creating a sustained dialogue with party and non-party members, and offering greater membership incentives. Furthermore, I really like how Taylor would plan to deal with constituency associations. He advocates that the party take a stronger role in forcing constituency associations to enact effective and sustained operations in between elections, yet promises cooperation in providing resources, strategies, infrastructure and marketing. He’s looking for the party to become more effective at the riding level, yet providing them the means to accomplish this.

As witnessed by the last provincial and federal elections, new technologies and forms of media are proving to be vital in the operations and success of political parties. Taylor suggests that the party make the internal organisational shift now to what will inevitably be the future, in an attempt to reduce costs and provide more effective methods of organising, communicating and fundraising.

I only have one major critique. Taylor believes that the party should be more pragmatic, and I agree. But, consider the Alberta Liberal Party as a mountaineer and the Alberta electorate as a mountain. These changes amount to the mountaineer trading in old, outdated gear for new, much more effective gear. This change will allow the mountaineer to be more effective in climbing the mountain but his position relative to the mountain remains unchanged. Now, if the party were to change its name AND enact these internal party changes, it would be like the mountaineer getting all this new and effective equipment, but starting his climb half way up the mountain rather than at the bottom. If the idea is becoming more pragmatic, then why is Taylor committed to remaining as an ‘unapologetic’ Liberal?

Despite this, however, I am very happy with this document. It is comprehensive and well researched, and gives me considerable confidence in the ability of Taylor and his staff in running the Alberta Liberal Party. Taylor has definitely raised the bar in this race and has shown how hungry he is to be leader of the Alberta Liberals.

Let’s see how David Swann and Mo Elsalhy respond.

For Calgary Grit's perspective, click here.

Canada and Extraordinary Rendition: Three More

Imagine that you are the proud new father of a baby boy. However, instead of being able to witness the first two precious years of your son’s life, you are being tortured in a Syrian prison. In addition to this time lost with your son, you have physical and mental scars that will last you a lifetime.

Now imagine that you are a truck driver who makes his living by hauling goods. You’re engaged, and anxiously await your wedding day. Since your fiancé is in Damascus, you fly out to Syria weeks before your wedding in order to adjust and prepare for the big day. However, instead of meeting your fiancé when you land, you are greeted by the Syrian Secret Police (al-Mukhabarat) and are imprisoned. You are held and tortured for 790 days without being charged and require two major surgeries as a result of your injuries. In the meantime, not only has your fiancé left you but the health of your parents has deteriorated significantly as a result of your detention.

Finally, imagine that you are a young geologist who plans to take a vacation to visit family and friends. However, your plans go awry when a stop over in Syria leads to your detention and torture for a month.

Now imagine that in each of these three cases you are detained for alleged links to terrorism, even though such allegations are baseless.

Now imagine that your own government provided the Syrian authorities with this false and misleading information, likely with full awareness of the potential consequences to you.

These are three true stories about Canadian men of Arab descent, who were tortured by Syrian authorities after the Canadian government ‘tipped’ them off about their alleged involvement with terrorism. Their names are Abdullah Almakli, Ahmad Abou El Maati, and Muayyed Nureddin, and were detained between 2001 and 2004. Today, a federal inquiry corroborated their claims of being tortured by Syria and also implicated the Canadian government for playing an “indirect” role in their torture, by suggesting – falsely – to Syria that the men were involved in terror activities.

Cases like this are not new in Canada. Maher Arar’s story is similar. A young Muslim Canadian man, returning home from a family vacation and is apprehended in the United States of America, and is placed in solitary confinement and eventually sent to Syria. The Syrian government, after being told that Arar is a terrorist, subsequently tortures him. It would take the “Commission Of Inquiry Into The Actions of Canadian Officials In Relation to Maher Arar” to prove his claims of being tortured and the role of the Canadian government in his Syrian detention.

These cases are extremely distressing.

These are Canadians who have been tortured in foreign countries with the aid of the Canadian government. The only thing they were guilty of was being male and Muslim. What happened to Almakli, Arar, El Maati and Nureddin goes against everything our country stands for. It goes against our basic concepts of human dignity and justice.

And the most troubling things are that there could be more men like them, and that our government has failed to take full ownership of its role in their torture. It makes me sick and extremely embarrassed. I think of Canada as a leader in the world when it comes to human rights and the protection of the rights of its citizens. But cases like these make me rethink this. Maybe we like to talk a lot about these ideals, rather than actually follow them.

Who's Next?

Tape Art Festival

Rutherford South Library is my study place at the University of Alberta. Over the last week, the Art 134-Art Fundamentals class has been running a Tape Art Festival in and adjacent to the library. Their work blew me away, so I thought I’d share it.

The artists were: Samantha Acker, Stefanie Augustyn, Sheldon Celinskis, Mirriah Cusack, Nicole Helberg, Alison Hui, Courtney Jensen, Kendra Jocksch, Janet Kwan, Emily Leitch, Ana Laura Miranda, Liza Shannon, Megan Stein, Lisa Supruniuk, Hugh Wickerson, and Nina Worby. The instructor was Agnieszka Matejko and the T.A was Anna House.

Festival Statement of Intent:

At first sight it may be hard to see how tape art is a sociopolitical statement. But that is in fact how the installation movement – on which our Tape Art Festival is based – got started. Artists in the 60’s began to question materialism and the commodification of everything including art. They no long wanted to make art that would sell for thousands of dollars in upscale galleries. They bypassed commercialism altogether and made art from discarded materials placing it on the streets, in back alleys, in places where people lived and worked.

Although students who participate in this show are aware of the history of installations, not all of our works have a political motive in mind. Some of us are creating work that will provide a moment of humour during the stressful time of exams. Some of us are creating art that tugs at the heart strings in a place not usually known for expressions of emotion. Some of us are just trying to create beautiful artworks for tired students’ eye to rest.

All of us are very grateful to the Rutherford library staff for the courage and a vision they show in allowing us to create street art in such a highly respected and revered historic location. Thank you! We hope that our show will help staff and students to think, to find a moment of visual repose, and most importantly to smile.

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT and COME OUT to Make Poverty History Tomorrow at the University of Alberta

Come out.

Election Results Dissection

I thought to wait a couple of days before commenting on Tuesday’s results. Needless to say, most people were bang on in their prediction of a Conservative minority government.

Steven Harper and the Conservatives

Although Steven Harper increased his seat count, the Conservative Party's showing was hardly a vindication of Harper’s leadership. Harper and the Conservatives picked up 19 seats from the previous election but their popular vote increased by merely 1.43%. This is after running what essentially was a 30 month campaign since 2006, with a weak opposition and economic instability to boot. Everything was crafted for a Conservative majority, but for some reason, it eluded them on Election Day. Though Tuesday was not a defeat by any stretch of the imagination, I would say, by just increasing the strength of his minority, Harper is likely disappointed with the results.

Stephane Dion and the Liberals

The results for Stephan Dion on the other hand can hardly be considered as anything but utter disappointment. It was the party’s worst showing in modern times, with popular support nationally at 26%. They lost some “guaranteed” seats in Ontario and have become, once again, irrelevant in Western Canada. Although some may say that the Liberal’s lost because they had an unattractive leader and an ill-conceived campaign that led Liberal voters to stay at home on Election Day, but the party’s problems are deeper than this and have been brewing for some time. They are being out fundraised and organised significantly by the other parties, and the very future of the party revolves around turning this around. Furthermore, as Andrew Coyne points out, the economic and political power of the country is moving to the West. Be relevant in the West. Be a legitimate choice to Westerners. Give your Western candidates a chance. Frankly, there needs to be some deep changes within the Liberal Party.

Jack Layton and the New Democratic Party

Jack Layton and the NDs did a great job. His strategy of ‘campaigning like he were running for Prime Minister rather than to be the Leader of the Official Opposition,’ was extremely effective. On a personal note, Linda Duncan’s victory in Edmonton-Strathcona was the highlight of the night for me. She can now legitimately bring a view of Alberta Oil Sands Development that hasn’t yet been put forward by our previous Liberal and Conservative Members of Parliament, a view that resonates with a significant amount of Albertans. But just as the Gauntlet warns, this was not an endorsement of progressive views in this province and neither is it a direct challenge to Alberta’s conservative hegemony, but rather it’s the work of very committed people who were lucky to have a great candidate, a Liberal opponent who dramatically underperformed (Duncan owes Roy a thank you card) and a Conservative incumbent that was disliked. But nonetheless it ended my Tuesday night on a high point and hopefully she’ll change some national stereotypes when it comes to Alberta.

Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc Quebecois

To some, Gilles is a hero for preventing the Conservative Majority. He definitely deserves props. But, what will the future of Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc be? With sovereignty being a non-issue in this election, this might mark the evolution of the party into something else. I don't have the slightest inclination of what this something else might be, but it will be interesting to watch the Bloc during this Parliament.

Other Thoughts

But at the end of the day, the $270 million question is whether this election was worth it? Nothing really changed for mainstream Canadians. They voted for a continuation of the status quo. Also, by conferring this election the lowest turnout ever, I think Canadians sent another message. They are disengaged with the current state of Canadian politics. Thus, fixing the reason behind the gradual decay of Canadian democratic participation should be a high priority for all parties.

Here are some other post-election discussions from around the blogosphere: Alberta: Get Rich or Die Trying, Calgary Grit, daveberta, the Gauntlet, Ken Chapman, and Unpopular Dissent.

Alberta's Heritage Savings Trust Fund Loses 1 Billion

I find it extremely interesting that on the day that Canada holds a federal election, the Alberta Provincial Government accounces that the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund has lost 1 billion dollars (17 Billion to 16 billion).

More interesting is the fact that Premier Ed Stelmach still maintains that Alberta is in a position to weather this global economic recession, despite his own Finance Minister claiming that the Alberta Government might have to dip into the savings fund to continue to pay for such core services such as Health Care and Education.

The fund is designed to save and invest money generated from oil and natural gas revenues, so by the time oil/natural gas reserves are depleted, or if their market prices take a dive, Alberta is able to still thrive. Alberta adopted this strategy in 1976, following Norway and their Petroleum Fund, which was established in 1967. However, Norway has been much more successful in adding to the fund and not using it to pay for government expenses. Norway's fund sits at 1.992 trillion.

Do you have a problem with Alberta's Heritage Savings Trust Fund losing a billion dollars? Do you have a problem with the Finance Minister saying that she'll be spending some of the savings on core government expenditures? Do you have a problem with a Premier who is in denial regarding the effect of the global economic recession on the Albertan economy? Do you have a problem with Norway's fund making ours look bush league?

If you do, you might be interested in this.

Stories to Follow on Election Night

So, here are a few of the storylines that I will be following Tuesday night.

Harper Majority?
Can he do it? Does he need 40% or 35%? If he doesn’t get it, as most people are predicting, what happens next? Does the Conservative Party membership, particularly the Progressive Conservative wing, say that enough’s enough, you’ve had you’re chance and now it’s our turn? Considering that Steven Harper and his socially-conservative-supporter-with-a-secret-agenda image is the reason why the Conservatives do not yet have a majority (In my books at least... the ABC, strategic voting movement are all against Harper, not necessarily the CPC). I think there will be pressure for change, if things don’t work out.

Dion
Same as Harper, except the Progressive Conservative wing is replaced by his Liberal Leadership opponents and Liberals are much more demanding than Conservatives.

May/Green Breakthrough
Does May change the Canadian Political landscape forever by cracking into the double digits? Does she defeat Peter Mckay in Central Nova? If she does, her and her party’s political legitimacy increases exponentially. Also, if the Greens surge to the double digits, I think we may be ushering in the Four Party System era in Canada Politics, and in the process transforming the political landscape of the country.

Layton
Can he break the Broadbent/NDP seat ceiling of 43, from the 1988 election? Does he win (or hold on) in Quebec and finally become a national party? He has plenty of momentum and the polls say his strategy of focusing predominately on Harper will pay dividends.

Duceppe
This mofo won’t die. They said they’d crush him and the sovereigntist vote in 2004... he whooped ass. They said they’d do it again in 2008, and polls indicate he’s about to whoop ass again, and take plenty of Conservative down in the process. Harper had hoped for Quebec as the seat source for his majority. I think next time, whoever the nationalist leader is trying to make inroads in Quebec; they won’t underestimate or let up on Duceppe and the BQ – or attack elites and their cultural balls.

Strategic Voting
This is most interesting story to me. It’s clear that the current Canadian political institutions and electoral methods are outdated to a majority of citizens. And, this organized, highly sophisticated attempt at strategic voting is a direct challenge to the systems, it’s a glaring example of the need for electoral reform. At its core, strategic voting is an attempt to have the electoral outcome better reflect the will of the people (a noble goal to me). There is no doubt that it will get more important and sophisticated in the years to come.

But for this election, I want to see if it actually materializes (and messes with the seat predictions) and if it’ll actually stop some Conservative candidates from winning, ecspecially in Alberta (GOD, PLEASE ANSWER MY PRAYERS).

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There are other national events that I’ll keep a keen eye on (voter turnout, the ABC campaign, popular vote numbers and seats in 905 & BC, Goodale in Saskatchewan, etc), but there one interesting Alberta story to keep your eye on.

Wachowich & Linda in Edmonton? What about Kang in Calgary?
I’ve kept you abreast on the chances Jim Wachowich and Linda Duncan have in Edmonton but can a conservative vote be split in Calgary-Northeast send Sanam Kang to Ottawa, the first Liberal elected in the city since 1968?

There is a really, really, really small chance. But that’s better than the usual no-hope-in-hell chance, much to the delight of non-Conservative Clagarian voters (yes, they do exist).

Billboard #1

Vote Tomorrow!

It was a 1988 Billboard Election Countdown.
The name of the blog is Straight Outta Edmonton.
What could the last song be?

#1 N.W.A - Express Yourself

Express Yourself AND VOTE.

Endorsements... COMING AT YOU STRAIGHT OUTTA EDMONTON

Since I have no faith in my own abilities to accurately predict the election outcome, I decided to fill you in on who I would like to have as Prime Minister, and which Edmonton area candidates would do a fine job representing us in Ottawa.

Stephane Dion
This should come as no surprise for those who have followed me during the course of this election. Of the leaders vying for 24 Sussex as their address, I like Stephane Dion the best. Rest assured, however, I’m not being a Liberal mouthpiece here. The four most important issues to me this election were: Post-Secondary Education, Canada’s Role in the World, the Economy and the Environment. Dion and his policies are most in line with mine views.

Dion’s PSE Plan was voted best by the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). The Liberals have been way out in front in being articulate, clear, comprehensive and practical when it comes to foreign affairs. And, Dion actually named dropped Darfur in the English debate and is specifically mentioned in their platform, unlike the other parties. I like the Green Shift. Let me say that again: I’m from Alberta and I like the Green Shift. It’s bold, innovative, supported by most of the nation’s economists, and will make Canada a leader in fighting climate change among the G8 Nations.

And on a personal level, my respect for Dion grew immensely after he decided to fight this election on the Green Shift. He plans to risk his political career (and believe me, there is a huge risk) on a plan to dramatically cut Canada’s contribution to climate change. It shows that it isn’t all rhetoric and that he gives a damn. Dion’s bold move was quite reassuring to a young, jaded man like myself.

Jim Wachowich
Jim is an exceptional candidate, and the constituents of Edmonton Centre would be fortunate to have him represent them. He’s got plenty of experience as a consumer rights advocate and would be quite vocal for his constituents. With Jim in office, I’m quite sure that Edmontonians will not be written off as they currently have been by Steven Harper and the Conservative Party.

Think about this, Harper has been here 3 times since taking office and Edmonton Conservative candidates have skipped out on numerous All-Candidate Forums this election. How can Harper ignore Edmonton? Why are Conservative candidates able to show this level of arrogance? Simply put, it’s because they know we don’t matter. They know that Edmonton can be written off because at the end of the day Conservatives will be holding on to all of Edmonton’s Federal Ridings.

I hope we prove them wrong.

Frankly, however, Jim’s going to need help, specifically strategic voting help from the NDs and Greens in the riding.

Linda Duncan
The same description of Jim can be used for Linda. Linda is an intelligent, strong and engaging candidate, with a background in environmental law. She’d be perfect to represent Edmonton-Strathcona – a riding that is truly opposite to the conceptions of conservative Albertan.

Personally, her environmental law background is a huge plus. With Linda in Ottawa, we can have a different Alberta voice at the national table when it comes to Oil Sands development. Although I do not agree a100% with her and her party’s stance on the Oil Sands (note: not the TAR SANDS), it’s important we have a different, albeit still Albertan, take at the national policy level. Because, believe it or not, Albertans are divided on the issue of Oil Sand development themselves.

James Rajotte
James happens to be my Member of Parliament and I have met him through my Stand work. James actually volunteered to sit on the All-Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity, despite being predominately focused on industry policy rather than foreign affairs. In addition to this, James has, and continues to, offer his support to the further the cause. This shows me that James cares, and I am proud that he does.

Aside from this, James is a smart and capable MP who hasn’t yet been given his much deserved shot as a Minister. If Harper is given a second chance as Prime Minister, I hope he realizes the value in James and appoints him to Cabinet.

Tim Uppal
Tim is a young and extremely competent candidate who can’t seem to catch a break. He nearly brought down Kilgour in Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont in 2004 (giving him mad street cred in the process, considering Kilgour’s popularity), only to miss out an easy coronation in 2006 by losing the Conservative nomination to Mike Lake. In 2008, with Tim securing the Conservative nomination for the extremely safe Conservative riding of Edmonton-Sherwood Park, a racially motivated “True Conservative” campaign is launched in an attempt to thwart his chances.

However, I don’t support Tim because I feel sorry for him, I support Tim because would be fresh new face to the Conservative Caucus, and he has proven his worth at the community level to represent Edmontonians in Ottawa.

Darfur

It’s not a t-shirt company.

Darfur is a region in Sudan, where civil war has been raging between the Sudanese Government and the indigenous Darfur inhabitants since 2003. The conflict is not religiously based, as is a common misconception, but rather can be more accurately characterized as an ethnic conflict. Sudan, an overwhelmingly Muslim country, is split between two main ethnic groups: Sudanese Arabs and Africans. The conflict arose after accusations by Darfuris, who are predominately African, of oppression by the Sudanese Government, mostly Arab. Things have escalated since 2003, with the rebels splintering into numerous factions, fighting among themselves and against the Sudanese Government.

The biggest problem in Darfur, aside from the political instability caused by the civil war, is the fact that the non-Sudanese Arab civilian population is a common target for the Janjaweed, a Sudanese Government backed militia. As of 2008, upwards of 300 000 innocent men, women, and children have been murdered, in addition to the over 2.5 million internally displaced persons.

It has been firmly established by various governments, NGO’s, and observers that civilians are facing the brunt of the violence in Darfur, and, more importantly, that the refugee and causality statistics are expected only to rise. And this is the most troubling point. Despite international awareness of the conflict and the plight of the Darfuri people, sufficient action has yet not been undertaken to prevent it from continuing.

Even here in Canada, a country that espouses cosmopolitan world values, such as respect for human dignity and human rights, there has been limited conversation regarding the genocide in Darfur. In the course of the current Canadian Federal Election, which is in essence a 5 week national discussion on the current and future trajectory of Canadian public policy, Darfur and Canada’s role in ending the conflict has been barely mentioned by our four main political leaders.

I find it odd, that in a nation that proudly boasts about its efforts in advancing concepts of peace and human security, we have not acted in our full capacity to end the conflict. We haven’t even had a real discussion from our political leaders.

However, I can firmly say that the lack of dialogue is not the result of apathy and ignorance by Canadians at the grassroots level. In fact, thousands of Canadians have joined numerous Darfuri advocacy and aid organizations in an attempt to raise public awareness of the issue and motivate the Canadian government to take a stronger role in ending the conflict.

The largest of these groups Stand. Stand, an organization of which I am apart of, has been particularly active during this federal election, through their blog and “Speak the Name” campaign. On their “Speak the Name” website, they have created a range of resources for Canadians to identify where each party stands in respect to Darfur. Resources include a critical analysis of each of the party’s positions on Darfur, as well as endorsements of local candidates who have shown a commitment to having Canada take a stronger role in ending the conflict.

In Edmonton, I am proud to say that we have 10 candidates who have vowed to stand up for Darfur if elected. They include: Donna Martyn, David Parker and Jim Wachowich, all of Edmonton Centre; Ray Martin of Edmonton East; Indira Saroya of Edmonton-Mill Woods- Beaumont; Linda Duncan of Edmonton-Strathcona; James Rajotte and Hana Razga of Edmonton-Leduc; Rick Szostak of Edmonton-Sherwood Park; and Dave Burkhart of Edmonton-St. Albert.

If you would like to see Canada take a greater role in ending the genocide in Darfur, I strongly urge you to peruse the “Speak the Name” website prior to casting your ballot on Tuesday. For Stand’s Canadian policy recommendations, click here.

Billboard # 2

Regardless of what Elizabeth May said, or did not say, if you don't want to see a Harper majority, vote strategically.

Here is the second last song on the countdown.

I think it could be the relationship anthem for Quebec voters and Gilles Duceppe.

#2 Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

The Other Parties...

My buddy Aaron Samuel gave me the idea to profile the "other" parties in this election (other = not the Cons, Libs, NDs, BQs, Greens). Although there is absolutely no chance for any of these parties to pick up a seat (according to Nanos anyways), I think they deserve a bit of attention. Here it is:

The Christian Heritage Party
Goal: To govern Canada on the basis of what is prescribed by the inerrant Christian Bible.
Founded: 1988
Leader: Ron Gray
Slogan: The Right Conservatives!
Number of Candidates: 59
Alberta Candidates: 7

Interesting Points: Wants to pull Canada out of the International Criminal Court and would introduce a policy to provide $1000/month to families in order to allow for one parent to stay at home and raise children. They have their own election commercials.

The Marxist-Leninist Party
Goal: To tear down the current oppressive, capitalist political structure of Canada and build a new society where class warfare is extinct. (I presume, not clearly expressed)
Founded: 1970
Leader: Anna Di Carlo
Slogan: For Us Accountability Begins At Home
Number of Candidates: 59
Alberta Candidates: 5

Interesting Points: Their real name is the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) but they have decided to contest elections under the name of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, as to not cause confusion with the Communist Party of Canada. Interestingly, they were pro-Chinese during the Sino-Soviet split, an event that ROCKED the Canadian Communist community. They also have their own election commercials.

The Libertarian Party
Goal: To reduce the responsibilities and expense of government, as it allows people to best maximize their satisfaction.
Founded: 1973
Leader: Dennis Young
Slogan: Where Principles for Freedom are NOT Taken for Granted
Number of Candidates: 26
Alberta Candidates: 4

Interesting Points: Abolishing the Bank of Canada, universal health care, and the war on drugs. Staunchly anti-psychiatry.

The Communist Party of Canada
Goal: Read Marxist-Leninist Party above.
Founded: 1921
Leader: Miguel Figueroa
Slogan: Put People Before Profit
Number of Candidates: 24
Alberta Candidates: 2 (including Naomi Rankin)
Interesting Points: Was originally the illegal sister party of the Workers’ Party of Canada. They advocate a shorter work week and is the only party to offer their platform in Farsi as well as English/French.

The Canadian Action Party
Goal: Educate, advocate and articulate the wrongs associated with Canadian Monetarism.
Founded: 1997
Leader: Connie Fogal
Slogan: We’d Rather Be Canadian
Number of Candidates: 20
Alberta Candidates: 3
Interesting Points: The party was actually formed by a former Liberal Defense Minister (under Pearson) and Senior Minister in the Cabinet (aka Deputy Leader, under Trudeau). The party is currently looking for a new leader since Ms. Fogal will be stepping down, and are looking for leadership quality, and name, suggestions.

The Progressive Canadian Party
Goal: Upholding the progressive-conservative philosophy in Canadian politics.
Founded: 2004
Leader: Hon. Sinclair M. Stevens
Slogan: Progressive Canadians, Building Canada’s Future
Number of Candidates: 10
Alberta Candidates: 0
Interesting Points: Current interim leader the Hon. Sinclair Stevens was kicked out of the Government’s Cabinet, and subsequently the Progressive Conservative Party, due to conflict of interest allegations in 1986 by then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (IRONIC... haha). Many senior members of the party have left the party in the last year to join the Liberal Party of Canada.

The New Democratic Party The Marijuana Party of Canada
Goal: To end the criminalization of cannabis.
Founded: 2000
Leader: Blair T. Longley
Slogan: n/a
Number of Candidates: 8
Alberta Candidates: 0
Interesting Points: They have no other policies beside the decriminalization of cannabis. Their leader, Brian T. Longley also goes by the name Santa Cannabis... you HAVE to check out his website.

Neorhino.ca
Goal: Political Satire.
Founded: 2006
Leader: Richelle Cloutier
Slogan: From Party to Party till Victory.
Number of Candidates: 7
Alberta Candidates: 0
Interesting Points: Quebec-centric. Successor of the Rhinoceros Party of Canada. If elected, they promise not too keep any of the promises they ran on. The will fight for a barbeque registry. They have a bunch of cool videos, posters and pictures.

First Peoples National Party of Canada
Goal: To advance the issues of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.
Founded: 2004
Leader: Barb Wardlaw
Slogan: It’s Time to Put People First!
Number of Candidates: 6
Alberta Candidates: 1
Interesting Points: They don’t have much of a website, so it’s hard to discern anything about the party except that its main goal is to further aboriginal issues.

Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada
Goal: To promote animal rights and protection of the environment.
Founded: 2005
Leader: Liz White
Slogan: Join Us and Speak Up For Animals!
Number of Candidates: 4
Alberta Candidates: 0

Interesting Points: They have a blog. They are anti-seal hunt and on their website, they take aim specifically at the Liberal Party of Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador First Party
Goal: To put Newfoundland and Labrador first...
Founded: Federally, 2007.
Leader: Thomas V. Hickey
Slogan: It’s Time... (sounds familiar)
Number of Candidates: 3
Alberta Candidates: 0... but I’m sure they’d do well against Brian Jean.

Interesting Points: They would stop out migration (maybe that’s why they don’t field any Fort. Mac candidates). They do not necessarily advocate separation, but consider sovereignty as a possibility if the Canadian government continues to undermine the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. They have a Youtube channel and the youth wing has a facebook group.

People’s Political Power of Canada
Goal: To make Ottawa realize that the value of society is not in gold or money, but in the people.
Founded: 2006
Leader: Roger Poisson
Slogan: Peace, Love, Equality and Respect
Number of Candidates: 2
Alberta Candidates: 0

Interesting Points: They have a GREAT website (by fringe party standards). Apparently they have money for national television and radio commercials; they have ad broadcast times on their website. They have a recent (Oct. 9, 2008) scathing article attacking Paul Martin that is featured prominently on their website... maybe someone should tell them that Martin is no longer the leader and isn’t even running for re-election.

The Western Bloc Party
Goal: The separation of Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) from the rest of the Canada.
Founded: 2005
Leader: Doug Christie
Slogan: The West Wants Out (I presume)
Number of Candidates: 1
Alberta Candidates: 0...? Ironic, since I would think of Alberta as a hotbed for a cause like this.

Interesting Points: Their Youtube videos, which are featured throughout their website, come from a channel that is associated with the 9/11 Truth Movement. Their leader, Doug Christie, is the general counsel for the Canadian Free Speech League and has defended individuals such as neo-Nazi Ernst Zundel and former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations David Ahenakew.

The Work Less Party
Goal: To advance the rights of workers, and in particular, to shorten the work week.
Founded: 2007
Leader: Conrad Schmidt
Slogan: Alarm Clocks Kill Dreams (straight up, it’s their slogan... no lies)
Number of Candidates: 1
Alberta Candidates: 0
Interesting Points: I don’t know if this is a joke party, but their post-election masquerade dance party looks like it’ll be off the chain. There is a body art competition (1st prize $1600), costume contest (cash prizes as well), and a Kissing, Spanking and Pleasure Booths... So, if you are Vancouver area on Sat., Oct 18 be sure to check it out.

Billboard # 3

#3 Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (UK video)

Billboard # 4

A fitting tune for all those praying that the strategic voting will pay off Tuesday... I sure do.

# 4 George Michael - Faith

The CTV Interview

Just my quick thought about the Dion/CTV clip.

For Harper to jump on Dion because of his inability to either hear or comprehend the question is a cheap shot, but this is the tone the Conservatives have taken so far in the campaign. But, the interesting thing is that Harper is tying Dion’s inability to comprehend the question to his level of COMPETENCE. This link is ridiculous.

Both my parents are immigrants and English is not their first language. Yet, both of them have gone into, and excelled at, professions that require a mastery of English language, both written and spoken. However, despite 35 years of complete English immersion, there are times where they initially fail to comprehend a phrase or a question that I, or someone else, pose to them.

Millions of Canadians, whether immigrant or francophone, probably have similar experiences. (I know University Prof's who have trouble with English, yet are individually as competent as the entire Tory war room... Mahdavi). For Harper to state that these momentary language difficulties clearly demonstrate their inability to lead, or that it indicates their general incompetence, is absolutely preposterous. It’s also kind of ridiculous for the Conservatives to jump on this so forcefully. They might be alienating a substantial segment of the English as a second language population that they might need come October 14.

Billboard #5

With 5 days to go, today's #5 Billboard 1988 Countdown song is INXS' Need You Tonight.

GREAT VIDEO, hey?

Challenge to Harper's Crime Initiative

A new study from Alberta directly challenges Harper's Youth Criminal Justice Act reforms. It concludes that the Youth Criminal Justice Act 'is working.. there is no real need [for Harper] to change it or make it tougher.'

The New Harper Tactic: Fear

Middle of midterms. I'll try to write something more detailed later, but this commercial is a clear example of what's wrong in politics today. It's a low blow. It relies on fear. It sells Canadians short. And most interestingly, Steven Harper and the Conservatives know it's so despicable that they don't even want to take credit for it. The line indicating that it's from the Conservatives is barely visible.

A clear sign of desperation.

Billboard #6

Under a week to go!

#6 Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

"TSN Turning Point" of the Election

This election is finally ON with a week left to go. The polls are showing the Conservatives falling fast and the Liberals (as well as the Bloc and NDP) surging despite trailing Harper considerably just last week. Although increased activism against the Harper’s (now dead) Arts Tax Credit change appears to be the impetus for the Conservative decline, the “TSN Turning Point” of this election seems to be the Canadian economy... HEADING INTO A RECESSION. Steven Harper's status-quo-steady-as-she-goes-the-fundamentals-are-strong strategy and his attack of Liberal Leader Stephan Dion's 30 Day Economic Plan (apparently foresight and planning are traits of weak leaders) seems to be backfiring. But, Harper might (read: MIGHT) redeem himself if his platform goes down well with the Canadian media and public.

If I were Dion, I'd make a similar ad to what Obama did in the States to inform Americans on what he'd do to fix the economy (h/t Four Strong Winds, you can find it below). Lay out his plan (30 seconds rather than 120). Appear leader like. Show the contrast between himself and Harper. Run it. Again. And again and again and again...

Billboard #7

Week to go.

#7 Bobby Brown - My Perogative

Billboard # 8

#8 DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand



* Note, some readers have mentioned to that these are not the actual top 10 Billboard hits of 1988. I am aware of that. These are the songs that should have been.

Social Justice All-Candidates Forum October 9

Four Universiy of Alberta Campus Clubs (Stand, Engineers Without Borders, Greenpeace, Make Poverty History) have joined together to host a Social Justice All-Candidates Forum on October 9, from 5-7 p.m in the Students' Union Building (SUB stage). Be sure to come out.

Billboard # 9

The #9 song in the countdown to the 2008 Canadian Federal Election is from one of my all time favourite 80s artists: Billy Ocean. Here he is in "Get Out of My Dreams, and in to My Car."

#9 Billy Ocean - Get Out of My Dreams and Into My Car

A Drop of Red and Orange in a Sea of Tory Blue

The post-debates election poll's appear to be quite inconsistent, with Nanos showing a significant difference in numbers relative to Harris-Decima and Ekos. While Nanos has a 7 point difference between the Conservatives and Liberals, Harris-Decima and Ekos are reporting a 15 and 12 point difference. But something of note reported in the Ekos numbers and seat projections is that although the number of seats the Liberals are predicted to win have been decreased from 66 to 60, they are still projecting a Liberal seat in Alberta. Furthermore, Ekos is also projecting the NDP's picking up a seat in the province, unlike their previous seat projection. This leads me to believe that perhaps a Tory sweep in Alberta might not happen. It looks as if, according to Ekos anyways, that Liberal candidate for Edmonton Centre, Jim Wachowich, and New Democratic candidate for Edmonton-Strathcona, Linda Duncan, both have a legitimate shot.

Billboard #10

Ten days to go! Advance polls are open this weekend, for more information click here.

#10 Whitney Houston - One Moment in Time

Billboard #11

#11 Def Leppard - Hysteria

Billboard #12 and the Debate Winner

#12 Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning

The "best performance award" of tonight's Canadian Federal Debate goes to...

... Steve Paikin.

Billboard #13

#13 George Michael - Father Figure

Rob Anders at it Again!

The man, who called Nelson Mandela a terrorist, considers the Chinese akin to the Nazis and that same sex marriage as undermining and disintegrating society, is back in the news.

Funny how he still manages to hold the Conservative banner, no?

Three Applicants for the Toughest Job in Canadian Politics

With the Alberta Liberal Leadership nomination deadline yesterday, and no new candidates declaring, I though I’d share my views on the three candidates vying for the job.

Mo Elsalhy
Mo is an enthusiastic, hard working candidate who was known in his days as MLA for Edmonton-McClung as being everywhere. Since he declared, Mo has focused heavily on recruiting from outside of the party rather than solidifying support from core party members. This is a bit odd since Mo is the sole Edmonton candidate, and the city has been the hotbed for the Alberta Liberal Party support. The inability to win over core party members can indicate a lack of support from within the party, a major problem, but a bigger one is the fact that he was not re-elected last March, and more importantly, he’s not from Calgary. After the last provincial election, the Alberta Liberal power base shifted from Edmonton to Calgary. As a result of this shift, I would contend that the next leader must be from Calgary. Although Mo deserves props for his enthusiasm and recruitment for the party, the fact that he is not a sitting MLA nor from Calgary really hurts his chances for the top job.

David Swann
David Swann is another candidate who has been working to recruit new members to the party for his leadership bid (primarily through his "Better Alberta" town halls). Unlike Elsalhy, however, Swann has a solid core of party supporters (primarily from Edmonton), is from Calgary and is a sitting MLA. In addition to this, I like Swann because he is pro-name change, a dramatic but necessary change for the party. However, the biggest problem is that although Swann is an intelligent and sincere politician, I don’t think that he is a dramatic change in personality and image from Kevin Taft, something that is needed. We need a leader that is charismatic and is able to shed that elitist-urban-anti-business stereotype. But charisma must be a key feature in the next leader, considering that Premier Ed Stelmach is definitely lacking it. It would provide a great contrast.

Dave Taylor
Dave Taylor is the man if you are solely looking for that charismatic contrast. He is considered a populist, knows how to work the media and is well liked in the province (particularly the business community). He is from Calgary, and unseated a popular Calgary Progressive Conservative MLA and soundly defeated a star PC candidate in the last provincial election. He has the political capital. But, I have a big problem with Dave. Dave is resistant to the idea of a name change, claiming that name change is not as important as internal logistical and organisational ones. I think Dave is wrong. After getting shut out of office for 8 decades and missing out the best opportunity an opposition party has had in the province in 15 years (weak leader, tired of the ruling party, lots of energy) the Alberta Liberals got smoked. If this does not lead one to conclude that dramatic changes are needed to change things up, I seriously do not know what does.


These are my thoughts; I’d love to hear yours.