Blogger acting up

Sorry for the lack of posts today. I actually had some good ones, but they seem to be lost in cyber space.

Blogger has been acting funny lately. There is nothing more frustrating, than to think of a post, type it up, publish it, and then never see it again.

So I am done for today. I'll try again tomorrow.

In the meantime, keep Pope John Paul II in your thoughts and prayers. The man has done tremendous work in his life and if his time has come, deserves to go in peace.

(Update: After publishing this post, one of my posts returned. Hopefully the other ones will come back as well.)

Terri Schiavo dies at 41

Terri Schiavo dies at 41

What makes this story all the more tragic is the way her family is behaving. First her parents get kicked out of her hospital room by her husband, then they argue over the reasons why they were kicked out.

I know there is always 2 sides to every story, but I think that her immediate family (i.e. the ones that wanted to keep her alive) should have been the ones to be with her during her final hours.

Both sides in this story have just looked ridiculous. It was a shame to see a circus like atmosphere outside someone's hospital room.

This issue will come up again. I just hope next time both sides can conduct themselves with a little more decorum.

On another note, President Bush is said to be looking at making a law that will make it illegal to remove someone off any life support, without their prior consent. His argument is that when there is doubt, it's better to choose life.

I agree with him. If you do not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state, then make a living will RIGHT NOW!

Any thoughts?

And this really makes me mad!

Regina Leader-Post

So last year, NDP MLA's made a big deal about not taking their annual increase because they wanted to "set the example." And because they did not think it would look right because they were asking public sector employees to take 0-1-1 (which means a 0% increase the first year, 1% the second and 1% the third).

Now, the MLA's are taking their raise this year PLUS adding on the raise they should have received last year.

Some details:

2.3% + 2.2% = 4.5% for this year (roughly a $3,000 increase)

Cabinet members will receive and additional $42.004 and the Premier will receive an extra $60,005.

I will be the first to tell you that we do not pay our politicians enough.

But if you give up a raise to set an example, it does not mean you should just double your raise next year. It's kind of a hollow gesture.

I guess that public sector employees can now look forward to a 0-2-2 offer in the coming years.

Raising the profile of Canada in Ottawa

The Windsor Star - canada.com network

I would just like to know how renting a suite at the Corel Center in Ottawa raises the profile of Canada in Quebec?

I caught a bit of the Gomery Inquiry yesterday, and this is what struck me as odd. The government paid for a deluxe suite at the Corel Center for the exclusive use of Gosselin Communications.

How would this fall under the guidelines of any program? How does it achieve the initial goal of the sponsorship program to raise the profile of Quebec in Canada?

And what's worse, what's criminal, is that Mario Parent, the owner of Gosselin Communications, was actually billing the government $150 an hour, while he watched hockey games and major concerts.

He was paid a grand total of $62,000, just to watch events at the Corel Center.

Here is his excuse:

"...Parent's tasks weren't easy, noting he had to call guests, find replacements if invitees couldn't make it and ensure the Senators mascot, Spartacat, visited the box....It's not easy greeting people. You target a client who comes with his wife. You have to make small talk with the wife, you have to be there, you have to smile."

I guess I can relate. Whenever I have an extra Rider ticket, it is sometimes tough to give it away. And making small talk is tough as well. And you try to get Gainer the Gopher to come and visit you in your seats. I tell y'a, you have to go through 5 people just to talk to Gainer let alone get him to visit you in your seats. And smiling! It's tough to smile when the Riders play the way they do sometimes.

Nope, it's not easy. But I can do it.

I just never thought to charge for that service.

Depressed Annan close to quitting over UN scandals - Sunday Times - Times Online

Depressed Annan close to quitting over UN scandals - Sunday Times - Times Online

I know he has had some difficult time recently. And I feel bad for him.

Still I will not be sorry to see Annan leave.

He is a big part of the reason why the U.N. is no longer functionnal.

He wrote memos, while a genocide was taking place in Rawanda.

Happy Easter!

Your tax dollars at work!

Ottawa Sun Online: NEWS - $200Gs would do the trick

A group of MP's want $200,000 to travel to Europe and visit legal brothels. Here is a quote from a Sun Newspaper article:

" A GROUP of MPs studying Canada's prostitution laws is seeking $200,000 in federal funds to visit European cities with red-light zones and legal brothels."

You just have to shake your head.

Can we not think of a better use for $200,000.

And can I go too?

I'm losing bad, but it was a heck of a game!

SI.com - 2005 NCAA Basketball Tournament - Late rally sends Illini past Arizona into Final Four - Saturday March 26, 2005 9:58PM

If you missed the Arizona/Illinois game tonight, you missed one heck of a game. Arizona was up by fifteen with 4 minutes left, and Illinois rallied to beat them 90-89 in overtime.

It was a great game.

I really needed Illinois to win. They are the only team I have left in my Final Four pool. And I am getting killed in my pool.

Go Illini!!!

Has it come to this?

You have to wonder what kind of a world we are living in when a 10 year old gets arrested for trying to bring a dying woman a glass of water.

Not one of the prouder moments of humanity.

Finally!

CTV.ca | Harper threatens showdown on Kyoto budget bill

Stephen Harper is starting to flex his muscles!

Good for him. It's time to start acting like an opposition party.

Let's see if the Liberals want 99 tickets to the "Gun Show!"

So much for a new way

The Globe and Mail: PM's Senate picks under fire

Paul Martin appoints 9 new senators. Six are Liberals and 3 are opposition members.

At first glance one might think, "What a classy guy Martin is!" But let's look at who he appoints as "opposition" members.

First he appoints 2 "Progressive Conservatives". Elaine McCoy and Nancy Ruth will not sit as Conservatives. They will sit as Progressive Conservatives, a party that no longer exists. Both will not join Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. And you can bet them not joining was a condition for their being granted the sweetest political plum.

Then there is Eva Dyck, who will sit as the first ever NDP Senator. Well not really. The NDP favor abolishing the Senate and do not want Eva Dyck to sit as an NDP Senator.

So it seems to me that by Martin appointing these "opposition" members, all he is trying to do is stir up dissent and controversy in the opposition parties.

So much for a new way of doing things.

I think I like it the old way. Where Chretien would just appoint Liberals as Senators.

At least he was transparent with what he was doing, and he didn't try to mess up the other parties.

I am actually starting to miss Jean Chretien.

Click here for the government press release

Schiavo's Health Wanes As Parents Appeal

Yahoo! News - Schiavo's Health Wanes As Parents Appeal

To me, there is something really wrong with letting someone "starve" to death. That is what is happening right now to Terri Schiavo.

I understand the right to die with dignity argument. I understand that Terri Schiavo has no chance for recovery. But to me, starvation is a terrible way to go.

The U.S. treats death row inmates better than that.

Sask Gov't spending hits $7B

CBC - Saskatchewan Budget 2005

Well another Budget has come and gone. Spending is up roughly 7%. Taxes are going to stay the same.

I don't get it. We had such a great year. Our oil and gas industry is really taking off and we became a "have" province.

Yet there is still no tax relief. There is still a moronic 0-1-1 wage mandate for all public sector employees. And less than a month after saying a tuition freeze isn't the answer, Learning Minister said that a "tuition freeze" is the answer.

Well that's great if you have a plan. But the NDP doesn't. All that means, is that next year, the tuition hike will have to cover 2 years worth of increases.

It's a "save now, pay later" approach.

There no vision in this budget.

When times are tough, taxes go up. When times are good, taxes stay the same.

Why not celebrate the centennial year by lowering the PST, hiking personal exemptions, free hats, or meaningful tuition assistance.

And let's get rid of the 0-1-1 wage mandate.

Click here for the budget address

Click here for the Budget estimates

ESPN MLB 2K5

I just bought the latest ESPN video game, MLB 2K5. ESPN has done a brilliant job marketing this year in an attempt to cut into EA Sports stranglehold of the sports video game market.

The first thing they did was to make a video game that was as good as the EA Sports brand. The next move was to drop the price. While an EA title goes for around $60.00, all ESPN titles are under $30.00. (EA has since dropped their price as well. Who says competition doesn't benefit the consumer?)

I am a huge sports video game fan. But up until this year, I have only settled on the Madden franchise and the EA Sports NHL franchise. (I still LOVE Madden!)

For a long time, I have wanted to acquire other sports games, but I did not want to shell out all that cash. And I am the type of person who needs the game NOW! I will not buy a title that's a year or even a few months behind. Even if the price does come down almost 50%.

So far this year my sports collection includes NHL 2K5, NFL 2K5, NBA 2K5, MLB 2K5 and the crown jewel of my collection, EA Sports Madden 2005.

Anyway, if you are a sports video game fan, I would encourage you to check out the ESPN titles. They are still not quite as good as EA Sports, but they are getting to be darn close.

Besides, ESPN took a risk with this market strategy, and they should be rewarded.

On a side note, I am having a great time playing MLB 2K5. It's been years since I have played a video baseball game. The last one I played was Base Wars for Nintendo. Which is by far the best baseball video game involving robots and lasers!

Click here for the ESPN Video Games Website

NFL Talks Hung Up on Sources of Money

NFL Talks Hung Up on Sources of Money

Let's hope the NFL does not have a labour disruption.

I think I would have to side with the players in this dispute. They have already taken a salary cap and they are under paid compared to other pro athletes.

The players currently get 64% of all TV, ticket, and merchandising revenues. They would like that percentage stay the same, but be expanded to include special endorsements that some teams have (like the Dallas Cowboys have with Pepsi.)

The owners want to roll back the percentage 4 to 5%.

Sorry, but show me an owner is not making a ton of money. The NFL players are not being too demanding. Because of their concessions in the 80's, the NFL is by far the strongest league.

This fact should not be lost on the owners.

Brison won't rule out Gomery publication ban

Brison won't rule out Gomery publication ban

I just love this guy more and more every day.

Brison use to talk about how corrupt the Liberals are.

Now he wants to hide that corruption and have a publication ban placed on the Gomery hearing. I guess the logic is if Canadians don't hear what is going on, they will forget about it and not be as mad come election time.

While English Canada might not be too interested in the Gomery Inquiry, it is now the highest rated show in Quebec. I am not kidding here. RDI (the French equivalent of CBC Newsworld) said they are averaging over 180,000 viewers a day. They say normally, it's around 25,000.

That's right Quebec, the Liberals want to cancel your favorite television show.

Are you going to let them get away with it?

PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

Remember last year, when Paul Martin said the way to get a job was no longer going to be "who you know in the PMO?"

Well I guess that's out the window. Today he appointed former Winipeg Mayor and defeated Liberal Candidate Glenn Murray to the position of Chair of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).

The really sad thing is, there was a moment when I actually thought Martin would do things differently.

I guess I was just naive.

Click here for the press release

Conservative Convention News

Some highlights from the Conservative Convention so far:

• Some Delegate badges had to be handwritten
• Belinda Stronach had Tom Cochrane perform at her hospitality suite
• A resolution supporting the traditional definition of marriage passed
• A resolution supporting leaving current abortion laws in place passed

There is a resolution to support the establishment of a youth wing that will be debated this afternoon.

I would say I am just barely in support of this resolution. As a former member of the PCYF, I can say that I had a absolute blast in that youth wing. We ran campaigns, fundraisers and national elections. It was great experience and a ton of fun.

We also sat around and gave ourselves a bunch of fancy titles. This was also fun. I can't remember all the titles I had, but it must have been at least 10.

The downside we did get way too worked up in our own organization. The PCYF elections were always hotly contested and sometimes did not bring out the best in youth. I realize now that the person we elect as "VP Anglo" is not going to change the world, but at the time, it's all we cared about.

Plus the Senior Party was always having to bail out the PCYF after we trashed a hospitality suite or sent out a moronic press release to the media.

Part of me thinks that the time I spent in the PCYF might have been better spent helping the Senior Party.

Still, it was great experience, and an absolute blast. So I am hoping this resolution gets passed.

Star Wars Episode III - A real tearjerker, says Lucas

Star Wars Episode III

The only thing about these movies that makes me cry is just the thought of how much George Lucas has sold out the Star Wars franchise.

I am a Star Wars fan. And I am sure I will see this movie on opening day. But I can't see it moving me to tears.

In Episode II, the acting of Hayden Christensen was absolutely laughable. At no time did I feel any emotion for the guy. It was terrible, and almost made the movie unwatchable. I actually still cringe every time I see his scenes from that movie.

There is no way that guy will move anyone to tears. Laughter maybe. But not tears.

McGwire, at Steroids Hearing, Says He Won't Discuss the Past

The New York Times > Sports > Baseball > McGwire, at Steroids Hearing, Says He Won't Discuss the Past

That's funny. I thought the whole idea of having a hearing was to discuss the past.

Would you have a congressional hearing to discuss the "future of baseball?"

But I guess it's okay. As long as he promises NEVER to do steroids again.

And we mean it this time.

Live Convention Coverage on When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

I am pleased to bring everyone "special" live coverage of the Conservative Convention this weekend.

And by "live" I mean, "when I get around to posting anything I hear."

Seriously, I know quite a few people heading down, and they have all promised to keep me up to date (via text messaging and other means) of anything interesting that’s going down.

You like abstentions! We got abstentions!

Nothing like a good ole fashion debate, with everybody abstaining at the end.

I actually would like to see all the delegates abstain from one motion. Pick one that doesn't really matter, and abstain. Just make sure it's the same one.

That would show the party how ridiculous abstaining looks. I mean why would you pay all that money to register and fly to Montreal just to participate in a debate, then abstain from voting. Maybe the same reason you spend $100,000 to get elected just to abstain from voting.

I would love to see the TV coverage of that. It would really prove a point.

Anyway, if I hear anything interesting, I will post here right away.

And I know my sources will be on the lookout for those 2 Liberal girls ;)

BBC NEWS | Technology | 'Best blogs on the web' honoured

BBC NEWS | Technology | 'Best blogs on the web' honoured

I can't believe I didn't win a "Bloggie".

Oh well. At least Henry Burris didn't win either.

Maybe next year.

Why didn't I think of that?

ESPN.com - NHL - Orange-liner: Sabres to test new ice color

Remember a few years back when the NHL tried to make the game easier to follow by adding a chip in the puck that made a blue circle appear around it? The logic was that Americans would find the game more interesting if they could follow the puck. It was noted by many Canadians at the time that only Americans are not able to "follow a black dot against a white backdrop."

Now they figure they will just change the colour of the ice.

So here is the proposed colour scheme:

"...painting the sheet in what they call "electric powder blue." To offset the new colored surface, arena officials decided to make the blue lines fluorescent orange, which is also the color used for the faceoff circles.

The center line, normally red, is now dark blue."

Yes! This will bring fans back!

I also think baseball would be more interesting if the field was bright orange.

There is nothing more fun than orange. Plus it would make the ball easier to see.

Who's with me?

Ugly truth: Cute kids loved more

National Post

Anybody read the story in the National Post today about cute kids being loved more than ugly kids?

The headline reminded me of something you would see on the Simpsons. You know when the newspaper flashes across the screen and there is always some goofy headlines.

Who comes up with the idea to write a story, let alone do research about this?

I just hope all the ugly people weren't offended.

Chretien riding had slush fund

CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Chretien riding had slush fund

Now this is getting ridiculous.

I am sorry, but if ANY money went to Chretien's Riding Association, then people HAVE to go to jail.

This is stealing. There is no way you can defend it. You can't take public money, and give to your riding association in case you need it for an election.

Somebody has to be held responsible.

What were they thinking?

"The Hack" had a link to this picture off his site. It's the Florida State Legislature.

Kinda looks like something else if you ask me.

Did you know?

• That of the $12.8 billion in new defence funds from the budget, only $1 billion will be spent over the next 24 months.
  
  
• In Canada, it costs the airlines $7,000 every time they land a plane. In the U.S. it only costs $200.
  
  
• Regina is in the Guinness Book Of Records - It has the longest bridge (Albert Street Bridge) over the shortest body of water (Wascana Creek).
  
  
• Famed theorist/physicist Albert Einstein played goalie for the Canwood(Sk.) Canucks one winter while sojourning north to Canada to "find peace and silence" for his work on the Theory of Relativity. He had played hockey in his younger yrs. in Germany.
  
  
• Henry Burris has no soul.
  
  
• The very first Dairy Queen was started in Melville Sk. in 1953. The original Owner was Donald M. Patrick
  
  
• Weyburn has the only Curling Museum in the world.
  
  
• The curling television coverage in Canada blows!
  
  

CBC Sports: Canada strikes gold at junior curling worlds

CBC Sports: Canada strikes gold at junior curling worlds

It's always great when some local boys become world champions.

Look for these guys to end Saskatchewan's 25 year drought at the Brier.

Let's just hope we will be able to watch it on TV.

Do we take away the records?

Since it's been two days since the Conservatives last did something stupid, I am going to have to talk about something else. So here we go.

I am not sure what should be done about Mark McGwire. If he was an Olympic athlete, he would have his medals stripped.

Should we do the same with his MLB records. Should they still count. Maybe we should put an asterisk beside his name.

Or maybe it doesn't really matter. I mean, if they are all doing steroids anyway, McGwire was just doing what he had to in order to keep his job.

Major League Baseball has to get tough with this because it has become just a joke. Test the players at random, and whenever you want. That's the way you solve this problem.

Exactly what I have been saying!

Harper's Conservatives: An opposition in waiting

Don Martin wrote an excellent piece in today's National Post. In his article, he basically says what I have been complaining about since the budget came down. The Tories have no direction. We are an opposition in waiting. We were even terrified that our own budget amendment might get approved:

"It was particularly cringe-worthy following an embarrassing performance on Tuesday, when the Conservatives ordered 14 MPs to be AWOL for voting on their own budget amendment out of false fears that the Bloc Quebecois would actually vote with them and trigger an election."-Don Martin

When are we going to lead? This is getting to be ridiculous. We have no position on anything. And even if we did, we wouldn't vote for it, because we are scared we might accidentally trigger an election. Which of course could never happen because even if we did defeat the government on an amendment, we could immediately call a confidence motion and vote for it, which should negate an election call.

But for now, we are a party that stands for nothing.

We are becoming Liberals.

Click here to read the article

A Beautiful Friendship

First they hated each other.

Then Clinton stole his job.

Then Clinton gave him his bed.

Now they are golfing together.

It's really great to watch a friendship blossom like this.

Click here for the latest

CTV.ca | Liberal budget passes with Tories abstaining

CTV.ca | Liberal budget passes with Tories abstaining

So for the first time in Canadian history (I think) an opposition has abstained from the budget vote.

I said in a post yesterday that I can't figure out why the Liberals keep winning. Well, I think I might be getting a better understanding.

First of all, and this happened yesterday and was reported in today's National Post, the Tories proposed a budget amendment. Then we ensured that 14 members were absent so that the amendment would not pass.

Can anybody explain this to me? Why go through the bother of proposing an amendment, if you don't want to see it passed. Now granted the amendment was defeated by more than 14 votes. But I guess we just wanted to make sure we didn't accidentally pass one of our idea's.

I also need to bring up the fact that maybe we could have bargained a bit. Give our support to the budget in exchange for some Liberal backing of our amendments.

But because Harper literally had to race out into the lobby to endorse the budget, we no longer could use any threat of voting against it.

Which brings us to today. In my opinion, there are only 3 reasons to abstain from any vote. The first is that you are in a conflict of interest. The second is that you are too uninformed to make a decision. And the third is that you are simply too chicken to choose a side.

Which of the 3 options do the Tories fall under?

I am so glad that my party has no "official" position on the budget. Does it not make you proud that we elect members to "abstain" from votes. Talk about an effective opposition.

If you liked the budget, then vote for it. If you didn't then vote against it. If you don't want to the government to fall, then send some rookie MP's to go out and look for the proverbial "keys to the batters box" while the vote is taking place.

But I am left to wonder, what if we had passed our amendment? Would we still have abstained from the budget vote? I guess we will never know.

I do know that I will sleep well tonight, knowing that my party has no official position on this years budget.

CBC Saskatchewan - MLA disciplined after saying premier should 'be shot'

CBC Saskatchewan - MLA disciplined after saying premier should 'be shot'

It was a stupid thing to say. Of course Jason Dearborn did not really mean that he wanted to shoot Lorne Calvert. It was just one of those things that you say without even thinking.

Dearborn did the right thing by apologizing outright, and did not even try to put his quote "in context". He also said he would apologize to Calvert personally the next time he saw him.

Brad Wall did the right thing by removing Dearborn from his critic responsibilities. And I was impressed that Lorne Calvert took the high road and accepted Dearborn's apology.

But poor Regina MLA Kevin Yates was "shocked and dismayed" and said Dearborn should resign his seat. Give me a break! If our politicians had to resign their seats every time they said something stupid, we would be in a by-election every other day.

Get over it Kevin.

If Lorne isn't mad, why are you?

CTV.ca | Lafleur employee felt 'forced' to make donation

CTV.ca | Lafleur employee felt 'forced' to make donation

So let me get this straight. The government of Canada gives you money. You tell your employees to give the Liberal Party a donation of $1000. Then you repay your employees the money with money from the contract from the Government of Canada.

Wasn't this an episode of the Sopranos?

But of course Jean Lafleur doesn't remember any of this. He doesn't deny it. Just doesn't remember asking his employees to donate to the Liberal Party and then refunding their money.

How any Liberal MP is able to get elected is beyond me.

Are the other opposition parties so screwed up that the Liberals are still the best people to run the country.

I am actually afraid of the answer.

Especially when it seems that Stephen Harper seems to believe that in order to beat the Liberals, you must become a Liberal.

Seeing as now a Liberal Budget is really a Conservative Budget.

This country is crying out for leadership and no one is answering the call.

Carnac the Magnificent

The Globe and Mail: Tories may avoid debate on moral issues

As a tribute to Johnny Carson, I will now do my impression of Carnac the Magnificent (for those of you who don't know, the joke was Johnny would read an answer, then guess the question).

Answer: Henry Burris and Scott Brison

Question: Who are two people who do not know the meaning the word loyalty? Who are two people who say one thing, then do the other? Who are two people who have never been in my kitchen (although a letter from Scott Brison the weasel is hanging in my kitchen).

I could go on all day comparing Burris and Brison. Maybe somebody should send Brison a new Burris Stampeder jersey.

Anyway, Brison has the nerve to criticize the upcoming Tory convention in today's Globe and Mail:

"This is a blatant effort to keep their hidden agenda hidden," said Public Works Minister Scott Brison, who left the Conservatives for the Liberals last year over the party's social doctrine.

"All they're doing is trying to keep the debate off the convention floor so that their members can be free to advance socially regressive policies individually and collectively by stealth on the floor of the House of Commons."

Who has the hidden agenda? Stephen Harper, who has said all along he believes marriage is between a man and a women, or Scott Brison who said he would give the Tory/Alliance merger a chance (actually voted for it) then bolt for the Liberals a few days later when promised a Cabinet Position?

Brison should not be the banner carrier of a "hidden agenda" theme. Who has had a bigger hidden agenda than Scott Brison (besides Henry Burris)?

Make no mistake, Scott Brison would vote against gay marriage, if he thought it would help his career.

FOXNews.com - Politics - Bush Impressed With Clinton's Deference

FOXNews.com - Politics - Bush Impressed With Clinton's Deference

Why is this story such a big deal? Essentially, a 58 year old man gave up the only bed available to an 80 year old man.

There is nothing special about this. It's called being a decent human being.

But because Bill Clinton did it, it just goes to show what a great guy he is.

I think it would have been more of a story if he didn't let Bush use the bed.

(I could throw in a really good Clinton joke in here, but I try to keep this site clean. Feel free however to add your own Clinton joke in the comments section.)

CTV.ca | Cronkite damns Dan Rather with faint praise

CTV.ca | Cronkite damns Dan Rather with faint praise

So it will be Dan Rather's last newscast on Wednesday. I never cared for CBS news, and I have never cared for Dan Rather. I don't have a problem with reporters putting their own slant on things. Most people are smart enough to know the difference. Besides, most newspapers in Europe have a left/right wing slant. People just buy the paper they want to read.

We have the same thing here in Canada. We just won't admit it.

But Dan Rather always seemed to go a little too far. He took his dislike of the Bush family (dating back to the 1988 Iran/Contra scandal) and actually tried to affect a Presidential election by "making up news". He let a personality conflict affect his reporting.

Like I have said before, there must by a reason why Dan Rather was the ONLY U.S. reporter that Saddam Hussein would talk to.

And I don't mean to sound like a radical here, but when Saddam Hussein agrees with your politics, you have a problem.

For a fair and balanced look at the career of Dan Rather, check out Ratherbiased.com

TeleMiracle 29

Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation :: TeleMiracle 29

This weekend was the annual "Telemiracle Telethon" in Saskatchewan.

So far they have raised $3,440,296.

Not bad when you consider the size of this province.

Click here to donate online.

Thanks for rubbing it in!

Hacks and Wonks

This is from Randy Turner's Winnipeg Free Press sports column, which I recieved via "The Hack".

"Seriously, who would have thought there would come a day when Troy Westwood wasn't Public Enemy No. 1 in Saskatchewan. But it's true. Turns out the man who suggested our prairie neighbours had a bent towards antiquated string music and inter-family relations is now a poor second to Henry Burris, the former Roughrider quarterback who fled for greener pastures of Calgary.

Treason! That was the outcry from Saskatchewan residents, many of whom - and this is just pure coincidence - were also packing their bags for Alberta."

Just wait until Labour Day.

Winipeg will always be "Loserpeg". And the "BlowBombers" still suck. (I know, I am such a poet when it comes to football.)

CBC Sports: CBC adjusts Brier curling coverage

CBC Sports: CBC adjusts Brier curling coverage

It's a start, but still not enough.

They are going to move 3 more draws onto the main network. That's better than before, but still not good enough. You have to have at 1 evening game every night. This is when curling fans are home from work and able to watch a game.

In this age when we are so desperate to be different than Americans, I can't understand why CBC (known to John Gormley fans as "Al Jazzeria North") would want to take that away from us. Most Americans don't care about curling, and would most likely find it very dull to watch.

Watching the Brier is a very "Canadian" thing to do.

Put every evening draw on the main network. It's 2 weeks out of the year. Coronation Street can wait.

We'll be able to figure out what we missed.

Canadian beef producers 'devastated' by latest mad cow setback

CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Canadian beef producers 'devastated' by latest mad cow setback

This wasn't good news, but I assume it wasn't unexpected.

Of course, I am sure that with the full backing of the U.S. government, this appeal will be turned down.

The Americans are our best friends after all. I am sure they won't mind doing us this little favor.

After all, we do so much for them.

MSNBC - IE drops below 90 percent market share

MSNBC - IE drops below 90 percent market share

I have said this before, but in case you missed it, you have to download Mozilla Firefox. It is by far the best web browser out there.

I have been using it for 6 months, and I have not had a single pop-up ad in that time.

Plus, the "tab" feature is much easier to use than opening up a new window.

Try it, it's free.

www.mozilla.org

Quote of the week

FOXNews.com -O, Canada!

Here is my vote for quote of the week:

"The Canadians better hope that if the North Koreans fire a missile at the U.S. they gas it up so it doesn't fall short -- if you get my drift."-John Gibson-Fox News

I know this comes from FOX, and they have a certain attitude towards Canada, but Gibson does make a good point in his article and does bring up a good question.

Does this U.S. have to inform us if they are going to launch a missile over Canada, that will intercept another missile headed towards them. In other words, does the U.S. have to ask for our permission before they can defend themselves?

We look stupid by even asking the Americans to consult with us. Of course they won't.

Bush won't even take our calls anymore so I don't think he is going to waste time by phoning us to see if he can fire his missile.

A quick thought

Bush ignored Martin's call on missile issue

I imagine there are some people who think that if George Bush is mad at us then we must be doing something right.

I however find it very troubling that the leader of the free world will not return our phone calls.

Paul Martin should be very worried about this. Whatever happened to trying to repair our relationship with the United States?

The Free Vote Party?

I know Stephen Harper "loved" the budget. I know he thought it was a "conservative" budget. But does that mean that all Conservative MP's have to vote for this budget?

What does this budget give the province of Saskatchewan? What does it give farmers? What does it give me? (besides the $16.00 which I already blew)

Jack Layton was on the radio today, and he said he does not see how any Conservative MP could possibly vote for this budget.

And I believe that he is right. (I also hate agreeing with Jack Layton)

Now, I don't want the government to fall on this issue. I don't think that would serve Canadians in any way.

But I do think that if the Conservatives are the party of "free votes", then Stephen Harper should not have any problems letting Conservative MP's vote against this budget.

And I would like to see every Saskatchewan Conservative MP vote against this budget. It's sad to think a Saskatchewan finance Minister could not deliver a better budget for his province.

Let's see if we really did elect some MP's that will stand up for this province.

An offer I won't refuse

CANOE -- JAM! Video: Brando's voice in 'Godfather' game

Nobody will ever understand how badly I want this game. The Godfather movies were all very well done (especially part II). It's fantastic that many of the actors from the movies are going to lend their voices to this game.

I am also really excited about the fact that they will be able to use Marlon Brando's voice (Vito Corlenoe) in the game.

James Caan (Sonny Corleone) and Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen) also were involved in the development of the game.

The only thing that's missing is Al Pacino. I hope they can pull off a "Godfather" game without Michael Corleone.

On a side note. If any Godfather fans have not read the new book out "The Godfather Returns", save your time. Although there is some interesting insights to some of the characters from the original book (especially Fredo Corleone) the book is not that great a read.