Bravo my fellow contrymen (and women)!

The Globe and Mail: Same-sex marriage bill must stand, majority say

While I have to say I thought this was true, even during the most contentious moments of the debate, it was not confirmed until the release of this most recent poll.

Very good to see that most Canadians would rather not see a repeal of the legislation by a future government. I think I said it before, I just couldn't see any future government legislating to take away a right from a minority.

People in Canada are beginning to see this as a rights issue and I believe that is the correct way to view the issue.

Interesting tidbits from the article:

"The Liberals have been successful in defining same-sex as an issue of rights, not as a moral issue" said Tim Woolstencroft, managing partner of polling firm the Strategic Counsel.

also:

Pollsters said Mr. Harper's promise to repeal the legislation may be helping to consolidate Liberal support. For example, Canadians who are undecided on whether to support the Liberals or the NDP may find themselves opting for the Liberals if they fear Mr. Harper would follow through. Pollsters said they also found that while Conservative supporters are the most likely to favour an attempt to repeal the legislation, "potential" Conservative voters are more likely to prefer that the current legislation stand.

Mr. Harper's position may only consolidate his Conservative base, they said, and not expand his support to other groups.

and then this gem:

The same-sex marriage legislation has been one of the most divisive issues ever put before the Canadian Parliament. When the House of Commons passed the bill late last month to redefine civil marriage to include gay and lesbian couples, opponents vowed that the fight was far from over.

Many of them have turned their efforts to the long-term goal of having marriage enshrined in the Constitution as the union of one man and one woman. But in the interim, they intend to prevent the issue from falling off the political agenda.

Phil Hogan, the president of the Catholic Civil Rights League, a lay organization formed to protect and promote Catholic issues, said recently that the majority of Canadians understand marriage to be the joining of the sexes for the purpose of having and raising children.

His group and others plan to make same-sex marriage an election issue.

"We have indicated throughout this debate that MPs who support this change will be exposed to publicity of that support and they will be held accountable," Mr. Hogan said.

To which I feel compelled to add, "bring it on!" You wanna make your intolerance an election issue, by all means do so. It may be possible to make it work in your favor in some parts of the country, but not in enough places. If I were a sitting MP right now, I would welcome the spotlight on this issue. Especially, if I were representing an urban riding.

I hope it blows up right in their faces. I am tempted to say, "don't like it here? Move to Mississippi!" but I am trying not to be intolerant of their intolerance.

A.L.

Fingers in the wind....

CTV.ca | Liberals' lead over Tories remains stable: poll

In these boring (politically) days of summer, what do the pundits do to pass the time? Analyze polls.

This is a CTV.ca article that confirms some of the things in my last post. But interestingly it goes into further detail showing the mood of the electorate surrounding each of the party leaders. Harper isn't the only one who needs shark repellent.

Interestingly, the electorate cannot point to substantive achievements of the minority government. I know that I am closer to the ranks of pundits than average joe Canadian but really!?!? Didn't we just see the re-definition of marriage in Canada? I guess sometimes it is a good thing to have one's perspective brought back down to reality.

This gave me some hope though:

As expected, "hard" and "soft" Liberals have a strongly positive view of the government's performance, but "potential" Liberal voters (67 per cent) also believe that the government has performed well.

And

It appears Canadians have grown tired of minority government wrangling. The poll found a clear consensus among Canadians that they would like to see a return to a majority government. A full 58 per cent said they prefer a majority government, while just 32 per cent prefer a minority government.

It's not clear yet, which party will become that majority though, so until then we will have to see. The Liberals have the upper hand right now, but it's still a long time (politically) off.

Other interesting notes I take from this article:

• Harper's "gotten worse" numbers have nearly doubled in 3 months time. Meaning the number of people whose impression of Harper has "gotten worse" has gone from 21 percent to 41 percent. But can you blame em? Remember this time period included the attempted non-confidence motion, the Grewal scandal, the Tories being outflanked by the Liberals and NDP on the budget's passage, and finally the passage of the Same-sex marriage bill. All losses for Harper and the Tories. His "improved" numbers are getting worse too.

• While Harper's fortunes may be waning, the Tory numbers seem to have stabilized.

• Harper faces stark numbers against him in his own backyard, 45% of Western Canadians say he should be replaced, and even 33% of his own party (hard and soft Tories).

• Martin's numbers are not much better with the general public, though he has seen a 5% increase in his "improved" impression numbers and a 7% drop in his "gotten worse" numbers.

Nevertheless the article is correct to note that Martin and Harper are both facing a large % of unfavorables. Both have much work to do, but it looks like Martin is safer in his own camp than Harper is. I say this because of the raw numbers, but also with the recognition that while polls are essentially a snap-shot of the current reality, it is most important to note the trends that are observable.

The trends are not good for Harper.

A.L.

Uh oh! Start circling the wagons!

The Globe and Mail: Majority want Harper replaced, poll shows

Sharks and buzzards are circling, including a third of his own party... that's not good.

Those are numbers that would give Landry resignation thoughts, and Joe Clark an itching for a leadership convention.

Vegas odds on Harper leading the Tories after June 2006?

A.L.

Memo to Ralph Klein: Don't project your intolerance on me....!

Scared Ralph
Originally uploaded by rwalker130.

The Globe and Mail: Alberta to recognize same-sex marriage

What an ass! My favourite passage is this one right at the beginning:

"Premier Ralph Klein announced Tuesday Alberta would reluctantly recognize same-sex marriage in light of the impending federal legislation, currently before the Senate.

“We will proceed to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, much to our chagrin, following proclamation of the federal Civil Marriage Act,” Mr. Klein said in a press conference in Calgary Tuesday. "

How about you admit it Ralph! It's much to your chagrin, because you are intolerant.

Good thing the people of Alberta weren't so intolerant of your alcohol problem, and your verbal abuse of the homeless... much to my chagrin....

I am also embarassed about this part of his remarks:

“We will develop legislative options to ensure the rights of religious officials and those Albertans, who hold social or cultural beliefs or values, whether religious or non-religious, will be free to express opposition to the traditional definition of marriage or a change to the traditional definition of marriage and will not be required to advocate, promote, or teach about marriage in a way that conflicts with their beliefs.”

Hey Ralph! Why don't you go ahead and give marriage commissioners the right to refuse a mixed culture/race marriage?!?! If it's against their beliefs and convictions, shouldn't they be allowed to refuse to marry Chaniqua and Tom?

This is why I am sometimes embarassed to be from Alberta, especially when our Premier suggests that everyone from Alberta shares his intolerance.

A.L.

P.S. I also loved the photo, he seems so shocked.

Ambassador McKenna on the Diane Rehm Show -NPR

Embassy Washington :: The Ambassador :: The Ambassador's Speeches :: June 28, 2005

Good showing by Ambassador McKenna. Too bad Canada-hating red-necks don't listen to NPR.

A.L.

Finally! Hockey will return this fall!!

CTV.ca | NHL reaches agreement in principle with players

After long last... hockey returns.

If you can get to the article, look at the similarities in appearance between Bob Goodenow and Karl Rove, it's frightening.

This makes me happy. Between losing an entire season of hockey and re-electing King George, there was a lot of misery in 04-05... at least in my book.

A.L.

Bush jokes from one of my Conservative friends...

Q: How many Bush Administration officials does it take to change a light bulb?

A: None. There is nothing wrong with the light bulb. Its conditions are improving every day. Any reports of its lack of incandescence are a delusional spin from the liberal media. That light bulb has served honorably, and anything you say undermines the lighting effect. Why do you hate freedom?

---

How many members of the Bush administration does it take to change a light bulb?

1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed;

2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed;

3. One to blame Clinton for burning out the light bulb;

4. One to arrange the invasion of a country rumored to have a secret stockpile of light bulbs;

5. One to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Halliburton for the new light bulb;

6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner: Light Bulb Change Accomplished;

7. One administration insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how Bush was literally in the dark;

8. One to viciously smear #7;

9. One surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how George Bush has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along;

10. And finally one to confuse Americans about the difference between screwing a light bulb and screwing the country.

Tough way to start the weekend...

Tough, tough reality of terrorism reared its' ugly head today in London... My thoughts and prayers are with the British people and especially the citizens of London.

Who else will be next?

Terrorism can touch us all, but fear is what gives them power.

We can't let them have that power. We cannot fear them.

A.L.