Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Windsor Liberty Seminar


When you think of Windsor, my home town, you usually think of cars and maybe of casinos.

But libertarians and conservatives should also think of it as the place that hosts the annual Windsor Liberty Seminar, a wonderful event that helps to promote my favourite cause: individual freedom.

This year's Seminar will be held on March 24th, and I would certainly encourage anyone who cares about freedom to attend.

I had the honour of speaking at last year's event and it was a great experience.

This year's speakers include Brett Skinner (a fellow Windsor native) from the Fraser Institute, Malkin Dare of the Society for Quality Eduction and a surprise guest.

The fact that such an event is held in an NDP bastion makes it all the more fun.

Liberal Hypocrisy

Liberal leader Stephane Dion says he will oppose extending certain provisions of the Anti-terrorist Act because they infringe on civil liberties.

Well since when do the Liberals care about infringing on civil liberties?

After all, this same Liberal Party imposed a draconian gun registry, which infringes on the civil liberties of gun owners.

This same Liberal Party supports the archaic Wheat Board monopoly, which infringes on the civil liberties of western grain farmers.

And this same Liberal Party enacted an undemocratic election gag law, which infringes on the civil liberties of all Canadians.

Maybe it's time Dion admitted the truth: the Liberals don't really care about protecting freedoms. All they really care about is pandering to their left wing base.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Left Wing Fantasy

What would a world without America really be like?

Media Update

I am scheduled to appear on The Drive Home With Jim Duff (940 AM Montreal) at 5:06 PM EST to discuss the NCC's opposition to Bill 257.

Angelina Shrugged

Journalist, author and perceptive conservative thinker, Paul Tuns wonders why the Council for Foreign Relations would ask actress Angelina Jolie to join their group.

Paul, if you gotta ask you've been spending too much time reading Edmund Burke.


Actually, if rumours are true that Jolie is going to star in a movie version of Atlas Shrugged I will personally ask her to join the National Citizens Coalition.

Anything to help the cause.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Dreaming of Fields

Just 36 days to go.

That's Not Entertainment

Hey tonight is Oscar night!!

Who cares!

I sure won't be watching.

Oh I used to watch the Academy Awards to see the stars and the glitz.

But I stopped when it dawned on me that 99.9 percent of what Hollywood produces is pure junk.

So why stay up until 1:00 AM to watch an industry pat itself on the back for the .01 percent of its product which is any good.

Besides in recent years the Awards Show has come to look less like a Hollywood celebration and more like a Democratic Party convention.

And tonight I suspect the Academy voters will go all "Dixie Chicks" and give Al Gore an Oscar.

Gore, of course, is nominated in the hotly contested category: "Left-wing propaganda movies aimed at making George Bush look bad."

Other than that I don't have a clue who will win, as I have not seen any of the nominated movies.

But here's a good synopsis of the "Best Movie" contenders.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

From Gerry to Justin

The news that Justin Trudeau was seeking a Liberal candidacy led me to write the following letter to the editor, which appears in today's National Post:

"Who knows, this could be the first step on a political career that ends up with Justin becoming prime minister, just like his dad. I guess Karl Marx was right when he said, "History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce."

Friday, February 23, 2007

STV Explained

On a couple of occasions on this blog, I have suggested the voting method known as "Single Transferable Vote" or STV, was too complicated a procedure.

Well in an effort to help me out, Jonathan Dean of the Atlantica Party was kind enough to send me a link to this site which uses cartoons and charts to explain how it works.

And it does help to explain it.

Still I am still wondering if a voting system that needs cartoons and charts to explain how it works is really a good system.

And by the way, to figure out the winners under this system it probably helps to have a degree in calculus.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Friedman Vs. Gore

Economist David Friedman has an excellent posting on the politics of global warming. (You can also read this in today's Financial Post.)

After reviewing the science behind the issue, Friedman concludes that "global warming is probably real, is probably but not certainly anthropogenic, is probably not going to have large effects on size and frequency of hurricanes and is probably not going to have large effects on sea level. It is a real problem but not, on current evidence, an impending catastrophe."

So why all the doom and gloom pronouncements from people like Al Gore.

Because, says Friedman, "Environmentalism in general and global warming in particular provide new arguments for expanded government power, new taxes, and the like. That does not mean, of course, that those arguments are wrong, but it does mean that there are a lot of people who have an incentive to support them whether wrong or right."

In other words, he says "Global warming provides arguments for things that a lot of people, mostly left of center, want to do anyway—shift lifestyles away from automobiles towards mass transit, reduce consumption of depletable resources, and the like. Environmentalism is in part a real argument, in part a religion, in part an aesthetic; the second and third parts make people too willing to accept the first."

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

A word (or two) about all those polls

The media and a lot of Conservative sympathizers are going ga ga over all these polls which seem to show Liberal leader Stephane Dion is in a free fall.

The latest is an Ipsos Reid poll which indicates Dion actually ranks behind Stephen Harper and Jack Layton when it comes who Canadians think would make the best Prime Minister.

Of course, Reid has been way off before, but that's not important.

What's important is such polls give the perception that Dion's leadership is in trouble.

And this perception will set in motion an inevitable dynamic which will work to further undermine Dion.

For one thing, these bad poll numbers will force the media to explain to us why Dion is in trouble.

Now they don't really have a clue but since this is something they can't admit, they will have to come up with some sort of explanation.

So the very same guys who a few months ago were fawning all over Dion's intelligence and charm, will now be informing us that he is actually stiff and indecisive.

In other words, the media smell blood in the water and this will induce a feeding frenzy. (Note the media's desire to eat a politician alive overcomes whatever political bias they may have.)

This bad coverage in turn will lead to more bad poll numbers, which will lead to more bad press.

So this is indeed all good for the Conservatives.

But there is also some bad news for them.

A recent Decima poll for instance, indicates Quebec voters are leaving the Bloc and going over to the Liberals.

If that trend continues it could spell real trouble for the Tories come election time.

This may sound ironic or even treasonous, but for the Conservatives to win a majority the Bloc Quebecois must be strong.

Political Anagrams

Found this site that generates anagrams, so naturally I couldn't resist plugging in the names of our federal party leaders.

Here's what I got:

Stephen Harper = Sharpen Her Pet (Sounds vaguely naughty)

Stephane Dion = Hasten Dope In (New Liberal campaign motto?)

Gilles Duceppe = Spiced Gulp Eel (Mmmm yummy)

Jack Layton = Joy Klan Cat (Sounds like a racist jazz musician)

And here's me: Grey Hill Scorn (Darn those grey hills!)

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

O'Rourke's Latest

No one is better at explaining economic policy in a way non-economists can understand than American writer P. J. O'Rourke.

So I am looking forward to reading his latest Opus -- On The Wealth of Nations.

Of course, when it comes to deciding what to read, I am always mindful of something O'Rourke once said: "Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it."

So if I do happen to die, I hope I am holding On the Wealth of Nations in my hands and not the other book I happen to reading right now.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Adler vs. Greenie

Check out radio host Charles Adler's spirited analysis of Stephane "Greenie" Dion's leadership shortcomings.

Mind you I said it here first.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Liberal Stand on Terrorism Bad Politics

Not quite sure why Liberal leader Stephane Dion is opposing extending certain provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Yes it will appeal to the Left-wing faction of his base, but it might also alienate the all-important swing voters, most of whom don't much like the idea of getting blown up.

It's like Dion is saying, "I will protect you from the Alberta oil sands, but you're on your own when it comes to Osama Bin Laden."

And it seems like some Liberals agree with me.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Conservative Physics

My son recently told me about his favorite physicist, Richard Feynman (yes my son actually has a "favorite" physicist which tells you he and I are very different people.)

And this Feynman guy sounded interesting, so I checked out some of his quotes, and found this one which should strike a chord with any conservative:

"There are 10^11 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers."

And here is something he said which pretty much described the Liberal election campaign last year:

"When things are going well, something will go wrong. When things just can't get any worse, they will. Anytime things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something.”

And finally it seems Feynman had a libertarian streak:

"The real question of government versus private enterprise is argued on too philosophical and abstract a basis. Theoretically, planning may be good. But nobody has ever figured out the cause of government stupidity—and until they do (and find the cure), all ideal plans will fall into quicksand."

Hmmm, maybe my son and I have more in common than I thought.

Letter of the Day

In case you missed it, Sun Media columnist Greg Weston had a great column on why Bill 257 is a bad idea.

In response I wrote a letter to the editor, which was printed in today's Toronto Sun as "The Letter of the Day".

Here it is:

MPs must do what's right

Greg Weston's column ("Anti-scab bill a flop," Feb. 15), should be required reading for every Liberal MP.

As Weston makes clear, if the Liberals really care about Canada's economy they will oppose Bill 257.

After all, this bill would give union bosses the power to shut down businesses and to cripple key infrastructure industries such as trucking firms, banks, and telecommunication companies.

What's more, Bill 257 would also deny unionized employees the right to cross a picket line during a strike.

For all these reasons this bill should be scrapped.

We know the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois support Bill 257. Most Conservatives oppose it.

That leaves it up to Stephane Dion and the Liberals. They can either side with big union bosses or they can do what's right for Canada. Let's hope they choose wisely.

Gerry Nicholls
Vice President
National Citizens Coalition

Thursday, February 15, 2007

NCC Ad Takes on Bill 257

If you not yet done so, go out and buy today's edition of the National Post.

Why?

Because the National Citizens Coalition has an ad in it opposing Bill 257, a bill that if passed would hurt Canada's economy by giving more power to union bosses.

To learn why this is a bad bill you can go here.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Valentine's Day Massacre

Here's a news release I just sent out:

NCC Says Today’s Kyoto Vote Could be a Valentines Day Massacre for the Economy

(Toronto February 14)The National Citizens Coalition says the Liberal Party wants to immediately implement the Kyoto Accord even though such a move could trigger an economic recession in Canada.

“Today’s vote on Kyoto could go down in history as the St. Valentines Day Massacre for Canada’s economy,” says NCC vice president Gerry Nicholls.

Nicholls says implementing the Accord, which demands impossibly steep emission cuts, would clearly have a negative impact on the country and on the standard of living for all Canadians.

“The Liberals, along with the other Opposition parties, want to force the government to implement a treaty which they know full well would gut Canada’s economy,” says NCC vice president Gerry Nicholls. “Yet all the Opposition apparently cares about is scoring cheap political points.”

Nicholls says Liberal leader Stephane Dion’s only goal with this ploy is to embarrass the government.

“The vote this afternoon on Kyoto is not about protecting the environment, it’s just a cynical maneuver to help Dion paint himself as an environmentalist.”

Nicholls says if the Kyoto Accord is implemented it would undermine Canada’s energy sector as well as its manufacturing sector and mean higher taxes for all Canadians.

“Instead of pushing a flawed treaty, our politicians should seek ways to protect the environment without wrecking Canada’s economy”.

Also for an interesting take on this vote, see talk show host Roy Green's blog.

A Cynical Valentines


One of the wonderful things about capitalism is that it allows for cynical creativity.

For instance, here we are on Valentine's Day -- the day for romance and lovers -- and what do I see at the train station?

A guy selling dead flowers to help advertise the site - Ihatemypartner.com

And no it's not a site about how to dump your spouse, it's a site about how to dump your business partner.

Anyway, Happy Valentines, everybody -- especially to my legions of female fans.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Privatize Canda Post

The C.D. Howe says it's time to privatize Canada Post.

The group has come out with a report which says opening up the Postal service to competition would lead to innovation and better service.

And if any organization needed a dose of innovation it's the Post Office.

Just think about it. How do you mail a letter?

You stick a stamp in the upper right hand corner of an envelope -- which is exactly the same way you mailed a letter 200 years ago.

Can you think of any other group still using the same methods it used in the early 1800s?

I mean besides the Rolling Stones.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Ottawa Gossip

I'm in Ottawa right now where the weather is c-c-c-cold.

But the gossip is hot.

There seems to be a sense from the people I am talking to that a federal election might be near, even though it doesn't seem to be in the interest of any political party.

Me I still think an election might be a year away.

Atlantica Party

Somebody sent me an email trumpeting the Atlantica Party.

One of the reforms this party is pushing is the Single Transferable Vote idea.

I hear a lot of good things about STV from a lot of smart people.

But sorry, I just don't get how it works.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Court Room Trauma

American talk show host Tim Russert recently took the stand at the trial of White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby who faces perjury and obstruction charges.

Here's how Russert described the experience:

"Sitting in that witness box is very uncomfortable because on `Meet the Press' or the `Today' show, you have a chance to finish your thought and complete your sentence. That's not the case in a court of law. The defense lawyer will say, `Yes or no, yes or no' and you're trying very hard to listen intently to the question to make sure you answer as precisely as possible, ... Otherwise it can be played back the next day. ... It's not pleasant, I have to say."

As someone who has endured a snarky cross-examination in a criminal trial (The NCC was charged with violating the election gag law) I wholeheartedly concur.

It's not something I would ever care to repeat.

Vindicated

According to a Leger poll the Tories lead the Liberals by 7 points.

So clearly I was right, when I said the Tory party's attack ads would be effective.

Oh well what else would you expect from “One of the Top Five Political Minds” in the country?

Vermont Takes Aim At Interacting with Pets

Think politicians in this country are busybodies?

Check out this news item:

Vermont lawmakers are considering a measure that would ban eating, drinking, smoking, reading, writing, personal grooming, playing an instrument, "interacting with pets or cargo," talking on a cell phone or using any other personal communication device while driving. The punishment: a fine of up to $600.

Why don't they make the law a lot simpler: make driving a car illegal.

H/T Reason Hit and Run

Kyoto Skeptic Speaks Out

Dr. Tim Ball is one of the climate experts who doesn't buy into the "humans cause global warming" theory we are supposed to accept as gospel.

Naturally this has led elements of the Left to brand him as a heretic or worse -- a pawn of evil oil companies.

Dr. Ball recently defended his reputation while delivering a speech at a Frontier Centre for Public Policy luncheon.

You can listen to his argument here.

Kyoto Election?

The National Post is reporting today that the passage of a bill requiring the government to meet Canada's Kyoto Accord commitments could trigger an election.

Somehow I doubt it.

I mean would the Liberals really want to fight an election platform that would essentially decimate the country's economy?

"Vote for us and we will throw you out of work", isn't exactly a compelling slogan.

And even if the Liberals were to somehow win such an election, they would then be forced to actually do what they wouldn't do while previously in power -- ie take Kyoto seriously.

So even if the Liberals won they would lose.

Watch Out Ontario

The Ontario Liberals suffered an upset loss last night in a by-election.

The NDP captured the normally Liberal riding of York South-Weston, meaning Premier Dalton McGuinty and his braintrust will go back to the drawing board.

And if I know my Liberals, Dalton will seek to stem the socialist threat on his left flank by becoming more of a socialist himself.

This strategy is all the more likely since PC leader John Tory is not threatening him on the right flank.

In other words, Ontario taxpayers beware: Dalton is coming after your wallet!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Command and Conquered

OK I am absolutely addicted to the Command and Conquer computer game!

When I get home from work I play it for hours and hours.

And I know it's not healthy. I mean every second I am playing that stupid game is one less second I could be doing something worthwhile, such as watching Beverly Hillbillies reruns.

Anyway, if you will excuse me, I have to launch a daring commando raid to destroy the hated Global Liberation Army.

Winter Still King in February



This cartoon from Rysking illustrates what could be a dilemma for the Dion Liberals.

Do they go on bleating about "global warming" while most Canadians are feeling their blood freeze?

Climate Change Hysteria

Last week I wrote a post on the hysteria surrounding "climate change".

Being naturally lazy, I made it do double-duty and turned it into a column which appears in today's Calgary Sun.

You can read it here.

And thanks to Moneybags4me for suggesting an ending.

Martin's Miscue

According to a SES poll only half of Canadians are even aware of the existence of the notwithstanding clause.

Wasn't this clause supposed to be the big issue for Paul Martin and the Liberals in the last election?

No wonder he lost.

Politics 101 lesson: If you have to explain an issue to voters, then it's not a good issue to run on.

To Boldly Go...

National Post blogger Marni Soupcoff has a wonderful tribute to wacky astronaut Lisa Nowak.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

NCC Takes on Bill 257




Here's a news release I just sent out:

NCC Ad Campaign To Oppose Bill 257
(Toronto February7)The National Citizens Coalition (http://www.nationalcitizens.ca/) is launching a multi-media ad campaign to stop Bill 257, a proposed law which would ban federally regulated companies such as banks and airlines from hiring replacement workers.

“This bill is bad for Canada’s economy, it’s bad for Canadian consumers and it’s bad for unionized employees” says NCC vice president Gerry Nicholls. “That’s the message we want to get out through newspaper ads, through the Internet and through radio spots. We want Canadians to demand the House of Commons kill this bad bill.”

Nicholls says the NCC ads will focus on urging Canadians to contact Liberal leader Stephane Dion.

“The fate of this bill really rests with Mr. Dion,” says Nicholls. “We know the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP support Bill 257, and that most Conservatives oppose it. That means the Liberals will have the deciding vote.”

Nicholls says, if passed, Bill 257 would mean more power for union bosses, more strikes for Canada and less freedom for unionized employees.

“This bill would undermine Canada’s competitiveness, drive away investment and infringe on the freedoms of unionized employees,” says Nicholls, who notes Bill 257 would make it illegal for even unionized employees to cross a picket line.

*******
For more on Bill 257 see this article I wrote.

The Black Brigade

Want to show support for Lord Black of Crossharbour?

Go here.

Poor Jack

Poor NDP leader Jack Layton.

All these political defections going on and no one has yet crossed the floor to join his party.

Maybe if he offered a free calender or toaster it would help.

A New Party

I think we have the makings of a new political party in this country: The Turncoat Party.

Imagine Belinda Stronach, Garth Turner, Keith Martin, David Emerson, Scott Brison, Wajid Khan, Ujjal Dosanjjh, all working together to push their Turncoat agenda. (Bob Rae would also run under their banner in the next election.)

Their guiding principle would be their lack of principle.

Their agenda would be to betray their agenda.

Their stand on any issue would be not to have a stand on any issue.

Hey come to think of it, that's more or less the agenda of every other party!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Turner's Turn

I was pondering Garth Turner's defection to the Liberals and have come to the conclusion that it can only mean one of three things:

a) Stephane Dion and the Liberals are moving to the right.

b) Garth Turner is moving to the Left.

c) When you boil it down, politics is really about one thing: staying in office long enough to qualify for a gold-plated pension.

Media Update

I'll be on Adler Online at about 3:15 PM EST to talk about my article on Stephane Dion's green agenda.

Global Warming? Don't Blame Ontario

Toronto Sun columnist Lorrie Goldstein has a good column today highlighting the political ineptitude surrounding the fight against "global warming".

Goldstein skewers the Liberal environment critic, David McGuinty, who just happens to be the brother of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Noting how David is trashing the Conservative green record, Goldstein adds: "Why doesn't he phone his brother, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, and urge him to shut down Ontario's Nanticoke coal-fired generating station, Canada's single largest greenhouse gas emitter?"

Good point.

I might add that David has also failed to take his brother to task for his enthusiastic support of a government-subsidized GM plant in Oshawa which will churn out Camaros, gas-guzzling "muscle cars".

Apparently, the Liberals believe greenhouse gas emissions only count if they come out of Alberta.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Friedman Not Impressed

Economist David Friedman looks at the recent and highly publicized IPCC report on Global Warming and asks, "Is that all there is?"

Liberal Strategy Revealed

Anyone who believes Stephane Dion really cares about the environment is forgetting one key fact: Dion is a Liberal.

And the only thing Liberals really care about is getting elected.

Already we can see the outlines of the cynical election strategy Dion and his buddies are concocting.

Yes they will portray themselves as the "Defenders of the Environment" but they will be careful not to upset their power base in Ontario and Quebec.

They won't suggest Quebec regulate or control it's manufacturing sector; nor will they ask Torontonians to stop driving SUVS.

Instead, they will simply promise to make Alberta shoulder the burden -- Albertans you see don't vote Liberal, making them expendable.

In fact, Liberal MP Mark Holland let the cat out of the bag early.

As Lorne Gunter notes in a column yesterday, "When asked whether the Liberals might nationalize the oilsands if Alberta refused to go along with Ottawa's development caps, Holland said his party would try to `work with them collaboratively,' but 'of course, if they refuse to work with us ... there will be consequences.'"

Will the Liberal strategy really help stop global warming?

No.

Will it wreck Alberta's economy?

Definitely.

Do the Liberals care?

Of course not.

All that matters to them is getting back power.

For more on this read Charles Adler's excellent column.

An Inconvenient Cold

Do you know how cold it is here in Toronto?

It's so cold I actually wore my geeky, nerdy, woolen touque.

Of course, if it wasn't for "Global Warming" I'm sure it would be a lot colder.

Oops, better watch it, don't want Stephane Dion to have me charged with being a "climate change denier."

Watch Out Winnie

A bookstore in Qatar is apparently selling Winnie the Pooh books with the images of Piglet blacked out.

Talk about unthinking censorship!

As Winnie the Pooh once said, "People who don't Think probably don't have Brains; rather, they have gray fluff that's blown into their heads by mistake."
And speaking of gray fluff, the mainstream Canadian media will probaby start banning Piglet pictures just in case they offend somebody.
Oh bother.

H/T Paul Tuns

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Attention Crazed Ayn Rand Worshippers

Want to visit a hard-core libertarian site?

Check out Samizdata.

Apparently it's made up of a "varied group made up of social individualists, classical liberals, libertarians, extropians, futurists, 'Porcupines', Karl Popper fetishists, recovering neo-conservatives, crazed Ayn Rand worshippers, over-caffeinated Virginia Postrel devotees, witty Frédéric Bastiat wannabes, cypherpunks, minarchists, kritarchists and wild-eyed anarcho-capitalists from Britain, North America, Australia and Europe."

Sounds like a fun crowd.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Time to Move to Greenland

Ok let's assume global warming is caused by human activity.

The next assumption on the Left is that big government will fix the problem.

Yeah right.

Big government has done such a great job in the past of fixing our health care system and of ending poverty and of stopping drug abuse that I am sure it will reverse global warming in no time.

But just in case, it's probably best to follow the advice of P.J. O'Rourke and buy real estate in Greenland.

Tips for Dion


Here's my latest column from Report magazine.

In it, I give Stephane Dion some pointers on how he can prove his genuine "greeness".




Mistakes in Iraq

What went wrong for the Americans in Iraq?

Well lots of things, says John Thompson of the Mackenzie Institute, in his group's latest newsletter.

But the biggest mistake the U.S. made he says was the blanket "de-ba'athfication" of the country's military and civil service, which essentially gutted Iraq's police, military and civil service.

"In retrospect," writes Thompson, "trying to rebuild all of Iraq’s institutions by completely purging them while the country was under the lash of terrorism appears to have been a serious error. "

And Thompson highlights another problem, one which will shock left-wing, anti-American types: Americans, despite all the hype to the contrary, are just not imperialists at heart.

Unlike the British or the French, Americans are just not very good at imposing their institutions and values on other countries.

"The United States does not know how to do this and, with the possible exception of the Philippines, has never managed to build a successful administration from scratch in another country," says Thompson.

Is there hope?

Maybe says Thompson but, the way things look now he also says we better "get used to seeing war footage on your television news; we’ll be seeing ever so much more of it in the coming years."

Myth Busting

People who work for the media like to think of themselves as hard-bitten cynics who "tell it like it is."

Yet, it seems to me much of the media is more into myth-making than in reporting cold hard facts.

Here are some of the more prominent media myths of late:

Myth 1. Liberal leader Stephane Dion is an ardent environmentalist.
Why is this so? Because Dion calls himself an environmentalist, because he named his dog Kyoto and because he sported green scarves at the Liberal leadership convention. That's enough to win over the media.

Myth 2. Climate Change is the Number One issue for Canadians
Yeah, I know the polls tell us Canadians care about the environment. But the "environment" can mean anything from having clean hiking trails to litter free beaches. And I'm sorry Canadians don't really think global warming should take priority over poor old grandma who has to wait eight months to get her hip replaced.

Myth 3. If your last name is Trudeau you are part of a natural ruling dynasty.
All the media fawning over Justin Trudeau is bad enough but putting that photo of Alexandre Trudeau's baby on the front page of the Globe and Mail, come on give me a break. What are we living in a monarchy?

Myth 4. Belinda Stronach has a legitimate shot at one day becoming Prime Minister
Here's what Belinda is: a spoiled rich kid with skads of money to hire the best spin doctors and publicists. Here's what she isn't: a serious political actor with any sense of vision or ideas.

Myth 5. The media is unbiased.
We all know the media tilts to the Left. But lately it seems to have become openly become the cheering section for the Dion Liberals. The Globe and Mail has especially evolved into a Liberal Party newsletter.

Mind you, reality has never been all that important in politics, but it would nice if once and awhile the media would look beyond the razzle, dazzle.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Thirty Years Too Late

Came across this book in the library the other day.

Man if only it was in print when I was in high school, my life might have been a lot easier.

A Not so Angry Man

Here's an interview I gave to Beryl Wajsman on the radio show The Last Angry Man.

We discuss the evils of big government.

And despite the name of the show, Beryl is not really all that angry, passionate yes, but not angry.

You should also check out Beryl's group The Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal.