Quick Update

I have been very sick. I'm sorry.

1) Ok- there is a new TV Show coming up soon called "Harper's Island" where the people living on it are "offed" once a week. Sounds like the first term of his government.

2) Earth Hour was this weekend. Power usage in Manitoba went up! No wonder they are under water.

3) I have seen three doctors in three weeks, and none of them can make me feel better. Not with drugs, not with hugs. Not with bed rest, not with vics on my chest. I hate 'viruses' and wish a pox upon all witch doctors who have claimed to acted in my best interest. Kill the bug with antibiotics, and when I grow resistent, invent a better antibiotic.

4) I am counting on North Carolina to win the Final Four. Just sayin'

5) I haven't had a drink in several weeks - I would like to think THAT is the cause of my massive weight loss, and not the pox wished upon my house.

Dr. Gary Goodyear - bad week, but its ok.

Personally, I don't care about this issue. There are MPs who believe in some wacky, wacky shit - let me assure you.

While I have always believed in some form of evolution - nuanced by intelligent design or otherwise - ultimately, what a man believes is his faith.

To suggest, however, that Dr. GY can't do his job because he doesn't believe in the scientific fact of evolution demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of what his job is. Whether or not the politics associated with his appointment are still good for the Prime Minister is, to be fair, a topic of debate. Ultimately, however, the PMs decision. If the PM wants the ultra-liberal media who haven't been named to the Senate to criticize that instead of his economic policy, he might be onto something.

Goodyear is a politician - and actually a pretty good one. I find him to be both personable and has a clear understanding of a lot of issues facing Ontario. As a Minister for State he makes announcements or stands next to a higher ranking politician who make announcements. He answers the odd question in the House of Commons. He has stakeholder meetings. He is involved in some cabinet level decisions - but ultimately, he isn't the one making the decision. It isn't as if the DM or the PCO aren't also in the room.

I would be shocked if he said to some stakeholder - "well, I don't think we should be funding this genome thing because, frankly, your research is at odds with my personal beliefs." He might muse that way to his staff or meet with other stakeholders a guy in charge of science might NOT otherwise meet with, but meh - what is the big deal if he does? Lord knows I met with enough stakeholders I didn't believe...

Personally, I would be far more interested in the other ranking Cabinet Ministers and what they thought. I don't know the PM very well, but I am fairly sure that he believes in evolution. Lord knows he better believe in it or his Cabinet will never improve.

I think that if we were really concerned with that the government was doing on "science" we should turn to why they fired Dr. Arthur Carty - Canada's Science Advisor, who I am sure believes in evolution.

Dr. G's personal views - while personally unacceptable- do not make it impossible to do his job.

Kick Starting part of the Economy- to make people buy stuff

I agree with those who believe that people have to start buying stuff to save the economy. I have been buying Canadian, have you?

As it turns out, I was told that there are a growing number of vacancies on various ABCs (Agencies, Boards and Commissions).

A deeper view (and examination of the Canada Gazette) leads me to believe that there are over 2000 federal offices, appointments and external review positions open RIGHT NOW.

Now, I am not going to pretend that anyone other than Trudeau and Mulroney have ever had 100% employment in the agency sector - they knew how pork flowed.

Pork is important. This kind of pork is doubly important because these appointees ACTUALLY HAVE WORK TO DO. For example, the Copyright Board has a backlog of applications, as does the Newfoundland Offshore petroleum board. Immigration and Refugee as well.

The people making applications to these boards are having the substantive due process rights...delayed. The backlog for immigration and refugee procedures is REALLY problematic, but I would say that not having enough federal court judges is worse.

So, as compared to "shovel in ground" projects, appointing people to these positions has some real tangible benefits to the economy. Yes, you heard me correctly. The Economy.

Take Porky, a New Brunswick lawyer and partner at a modestly sized firm. He makes a healthy wage, but really doesn't like the grind. He is about 40ish, has lots of experience, but is one missed deadline away from having a heart-attack. He likes his job, but hates the grind. He makes ass-loads of money, but doesn't have a chance to enjoy it. He dabbles in politics, but is in the wrong riding to win as a cold heartless Conservative.

Porky is an amalgam of the perfect federal appointee. Lots of smarts, lots of experience, a desire to get out of the rat race and get a position that will also guarantee him a pension, if not a promotion in a few years to "Judge." Admittedly, not all appointees are going to be lawyers, but yes Virginia, that is where many of them come from. Rightfully so, in my opinion.

So, Porky is appointed to an agency that provides him with either a full time position, or a part time position at a healthy daily stipend. In either scenario, the government is infusing money into the economy, and (looks both ways) it isn't as if porky's workload has disappeared. In fact, his law firm (or engineering firm, or accounting firm) will have to hire a junior, and promote a mid-level person to replace him.

A new job, an infusion of capital, a transfer of knowledge and consistent transition for an existing business.

Sounds like the perfect stimulus to me.

Thank God for Activist Courts

ACTIVISM RULES I guess the PM is right - the courts are out to get him. Saving people's lives and such.

I am elated to learn that the federal court whacked Steve-o and his government on this issue. It is actually one of the key reasons why I vote the way I do. The Death Penalty is always wrong.

I have talked about this before, but the sheer fact that the penitent has asked for death is a reason that he cannot be competent to stand on his own - and needs his government's help. To wish for the punishment of death, says I, is to be insane in such a way that one cannot appreciate the consequences of one's actions.

There are few issues I care more about than preserving the status quo in Canada as it relates to the death penalty. It constantly shocks me that there is anyone who still thinks it is a good idea in any circumstance.

Of course, I don't think the court went far enough, and I think it is open to all kinds of abuse at the appellate level. Without delving too deeply into it, the fact that the cruel and unusual punishment provisions were not raised in the decision are...problematic.

The decision rests entirely on the arbitrariness of the government's actions - so, if it was to reverse the policy in a reasoned, clear and thought provoking way, it would somehow be ok. I don't agree.

Also, I am not thrilled that the government has to "actively" help to obtain clemency. By doing what? Write a letter? Send a diplomatic note? Message in a bottle?

A little more direction would be...appreciated.

Great buying opportunities!

Apparently President Obama is also advising we buy stocks because there are some great deals in the market.

When Harper made that statement, the market dropped another couple points. And by couple, I mean 15.

When will people in positions of authority stick to that authority instead of treading on the ground of others?

So, when the interest rate gets to zero, what will the Bank of Canada do then to stimulate the economy? Give you money to borrow money?