May is almost over

and I am not sure how this is possible, but statistically, the Yankees are behind the Red Sox.

What? Didn't the sox start like 0-11 or something absurd like that?

Isn't that usually what the Yankees do?

Andy? C'mon back for June 15th.

I have learned more about cosmetics today...

...then I ever expected I would need to know.

Sometimes they can be drugs, but sometimes they aren't cosmetics because of the low concentration of a medicinal ingredient, but it has to be a certain percentage in order to be a natural health product.

I think we need new rules: Tell me what the product does, and what proof you have of that claim. If the claim is "Lipstick makes your lips red" that should be good enough.

A long poem about Jack Layton (as promised)

The Cat in the cradle spit out the silver spoon,
And now we have a man who is over the moon

100 more seats than I think they deserved
He musters and blusters, and is hardly reserved

The picked over the corpse of nationalistic pride
And have since adopted a position which is easy to deride


He is a clever man, of this there is no doubt
Too bad his success has reduced his actual clout

Government in waiting, what a horrible joke
If he gets any closer, our country will be broke


Despite this sad truth, his genius is clear
By the end of 2012, his entire caucus will be old enough to drink beer

Populist plans to save Canadians from themselves
Proving the key is to elect Santa, not his elves


Ask all you want, the response will be plain
You better pull yourself up, or feel electoral pain

If you blow this one chance, your party is screwed
Quebec as a mistress, can be of foul mood


Betray the trust that she gave to you my friend
May see the country we live in soon end.

Opponents of Canada are sitting in wait,
Hoping you flounder, listing at the gate


I hope you succeed, you speak to their issues
And do not succumb to a flurry of miscues

Four years from now, I hope I am wrong
And then, only then, will I rewrite this song

Atlas Hugged Movie

An anonymous follower asked me if I was planning on seeing the Atlas Shrugged movie when it is released. I would have replied to them in person, but I couldn't as they didn't give me any information by which to contact them.

Yes, I will see the film. I am actually looking forward to seeing it.

Despite the fact that there are some pretty serious philosophical reservations I have with objectivism, there are a lot of aspects of the teachings of Dr. Rand that I share and admire. Her views on economic liberty are important, and I think the first thing I ask my friends as I walk down the street past a government building is "I wonder what they do in there" or more specifically "what does that person do" while pointing up a window.

I also think that I represent the people who make Riordan Metal, but that is another story entirely.

The poem is coming - I promise

But I got busy doing something else.

Defending democracy one ballot at a time

Fucking Mulcair

I would like to start a list of other things T Mulcair doesn't believe in:

1) a market based economy
2) the moon landing
3) Corporate social responsibility
4) Global cooling
5) Shakespeare in love
6) The Force

For me- this is just proof that ANYONE can be an idiot, not just a 22 year old bartender. I really do hope that we stop focusing on the newest MPs who haven't proven they are incompetent yet - and give them a chance to proove themselves!

After thinking about it -

With the Harper government firmly nestled in with a majority - I can say that "The Official Opposition to the Harper Government isn't the NDP. Its the Supreme Cour of Canada."

The NDP have more seats and less power. They couldn't stop something if they tried. Press Releases don't stop bad laws in majority governments.

The SCC, however, can.

Sure, the composition of the court will change over time, but the law is the law is the law look a shiny pony. I don't think we will see the same "activist" judges who have predetermined views on issues of national importance ascend to our bench.

Being a judge is about thinking a certain way, and approaching legal issues to find a solution which is both acceptable to the litigants (or at least one of them) and is in line with societies expectations.

Well, that was something

It would appear that I have to write a poem to Mr. Layton. Oy.

There are a lot of surprises, but the biggest surprise ISN'T how Jack did - its how Gilles didn't.

Trust the people of Quebec to know, better than anyone else, what is/not relevant. Bravo.

No party can ever say that they can't win in Quebec. None.

Tonight's Election

I just don't believe any of it. I don't believe that voters will walk into a voting booth and say "oh, that Layton fellow seems lovely."

Of course, people do date strangers they meet on the internet...

There are four distinct thoughts, in descending order of likelihood – but all very possible – all have profound implications for our constitutional future.

1) Majority. Jack splits votes in 20-30 ridings he usually finishes fourth in. This helps the liberals in some ridings, but hugely benefits Tories North and East of Montreal, BC. They come in between 160-165 with 35% in most of those ridings. Harper majority introduces c-2 (the Attila the hun spending cuts) and c-3 (the crime and punishment) bills and they are law before June 13. This is how Jean Chretien won power three times. Get used to it.

Harper Majority changes the face of Canadian Politics as he Harris's his way to the government he wants - like 33 people with Apple I-tablets.

2) Minority with Michael Ignatieff (MI) as Leader of the Opposition. MI holds out and brings down government before December– no substantive issues are discussed because legitimacy is only issue on the table and the future of constitutional legitimacy at play. Tories win 260 seats in three years if they can sustain the message. I really and truly do not believe that many seats will sway to the NDP. They have 38 now - they MIGHT get to 60.

Changes the face of Canadian Politics as Harper will be forced to resign eventually. No doubt that the battle to replace him will be brutal.

3) Minority with JL as OLO. MI resigns and we have an excuse to allow PMSH stay around (knowing he will also be forced out within a year) as we select new leader. There is no way that Lib brand can allow PHJL picture in any building. Destroys Lbieral key argument for why it is better and why the NDP can't be trusted.


Same as above, but when Layton falters, Conservative Leader Maxime Bernier will win 60 seats in Quebec. And then I move to Georgia - and not the one in the US.

4) Majority of NDP/Lib or Lib/NDP WITHOUT the support of the BQ (ie – tories are down around 125 seats). Not unlikely if the NDP sneaks up to 75-80 seats. I can't imagine it really happening though.

The two parties would eventually have to engage in some kind of merger discussion. Entire government stand still until agreement sorted out. Will not happen overnight.