Watching Ezra Levant go off on the Human Rights Commission on the intent of his magazine publishing those Danish cartoons is, well, pretty rad. [via Megan McArdle]
Still laughing about...Andy Samberg's Digital Short love poem to Iranian dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Because if I have to read one more article about the impending doom of months of our garbage and library strike, I'm going switch gears for moment. Mostly I just liked where Wonkette was going with thier coverage of the NAFTA meeting:
"The leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States are having secret meetings in a sinister Canadian castle today that will mean the End of the United States, finally, sources said.Bush Junior is meeting today and tomorrow with Mexican prez Filipe Calderon (who also wasn’t exactly elected to office) and Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper (who also wasn’t elected because Canada worships the Queen, we think?) so they can combine the three countries into one slave-labor economic ruin known as Canarexico or something."
With the news that the hotel workers are thinking about striking now, Sam Sullivan's popularity will reach a new apex in the George W. Bush ratings system. But how would Mayor Sullivan stack up against Cracked.com's "Pop Culture's Top 5 Fictional Mayors." Particularly the comparison to Mayor McCheese which is outrageously uncanny, or not:
"Rather than running on the issues, Mayor McCheese primarily campaigns against his frequent rival, the Burger King, whose autocratic regime saw a drastic increase in crime (most notably breaking and entering and possession of a Croissan'wich with intent to distribute), as well as the rise of the insidious "Chicken Fries," which stand as an affront to both God and Man. Also fondly remembered by Europeans for his moving speech to a divided Germany, where he famously announced "Ich bin ein Hamburger."
But seriously, has someone started the draft Harcourt campaign yet? It's that bad.
Wonkette rightly posted this video under the headline, "Internet Videos to Destroy Democracy for Good" but the possibilities are endless now.
While Vancouver lay in ruins, okay fine, I mean still had 1,000,000 people drinking bottled or boiled water while the city's mayor was carted around by horses during the Christmas parade, the ever vigil Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in Vietnam, looking completely out of touch. Unfazed, Harper told the press, "I hear the water in Langley is great. Besides those hippies didn't vote for me in the city."
"The voters gave the Republicans a well-earned kick in the gut yesterday. . . . This is good news .. and bad news. Good news because of the message it sends to Republicans. Bad news because of the message it sends to Islamic jihadists who are dedicated to the destruction of our culture. One thing is certain. The Republicans worked very hard for this defeat."
Ah. The midterm elections today. I'm still rooting for the Democrats per my Halloween bet. Somebody left a huge message on my phone this morning about this insignificant bit of politics, which is kind of creepy since I don't know who left it.
The amazing Don Imus gives Sen. John Kerry some good advice to ensure the Democrats really do win in 5 days and possibly in 2008. Bonus for my dear friend Miss Layton: Andrew Sullivan and Christopher Hitchens eviscerate Bush
You know, it's ads like this one from Wisconsin Republican Congressional Candidate Paul R. Nelson that make supporting the Democrats next Tuesday so easy. [Wonkette]
I feel bad for the last post. And at somepoint last night I made some sort of insane bet with someone - it involved a 5-minute pinky swear, so it must be serious. Apparently if she dresses up as Jack Layton for Halloween - including mustache - I will spend the week after up to and until the November 7th mid-term elections in the USA professing my love for the Democrats. Clearly only Nixon could go to China, and this one is on like Donkey Kong, Layton! Too bad I can't cheer Joe Lieberman on - the Joementum has hit a 17-point lead. This was better than the first bet which involved me baking Gerard Kennedy cookies for some reason.
Don't even begin to tell me how completely amazing this photo of Premier Gordon Campbell and the legendary Bill Cosby together hanging out at the David Foster and Friends Gala at Richmond's River Rock is. All I can think of right now is is the two of them dancing to the Cosby Show theme song. So hot. Sitcom gold.
Here's two highlights:
Hedy Fry and her magical 15-year plans:
"Grand 15-year plans, with goals evaluated every three years, are needed to tackle three major challenges: productivity and competitiveness, environmental degradation and sustainable health care."
Please, please, please, please, could we please have her as the leader? It would be so sweet. 15-year plans? My god that is riduclously insane.
And this part from the writer:
"That kind of reaction is far from the image of Ms. Fry often found in the media, where, for the past five years, she has had to bear a heavy cross, of the burning variety."
This is funny stuff since he throws out this clever little line only to then spend the next 9 paragraphs on the issue.
Bonus Points:
In the article former campaign foe Svend Robinson declaring the Fry campaign "the ultimate kamikaze mission".
So the Liberals are here in town for their caucus retreat and you can read this amazing press release hot off the Liberal spin presses:
Liberals Optimistic at Vancouver Caucus Retreat
Holy cow! That is confidence! And If I was Stephen Harper I'd be totally freaking out. Interim Leader Bill Graham is rolling up his sleaves! Stop the presses! They're working! They're making plans. Watch out! Can you feel the Liberal heat!
All this excitement down at the Hyatt kids. Go now! Feel it.
Bonus: A cache of really sweet Ujjal Dosanjh fan photos
Who does Mike Harcourt think he is? He shows up to support the Insite injection hotel with fellow ex-mayors Philip Owen and Larry Campbell looking like he just stepped out of his beach villa. Damn this bitch is so hot. For reals, and is he even wearing pants? He totally wants to boogie like it's 1991 all over again. And Metro Vancouver just nailed this on the front cover. Also a really hot move.
He makes his cohorts look like establishment suits - and speaking of those old guys, could Larry Campbell's face get any redder? My goodness he looks like hell.
Photo: JARED FERRIE/METRO VANCOUVER
The idea of less needles on the street is a compelling argument. After so many years of working and living down here I would rather see human waste in the open than ever see a needle again on the sidewalk or in an alleyway. My son knows what poop is and that his parents get mad when he plays with it or throws it. It's a non-negotiable no no. There isn't room for trial and error should he stumble upon a needle, used or not. That, and the zero fatality stat, put me on the "FOR" side of Insite's future.
As a taxpayer I cringe when I see money spent on what is already a drain on society. Not the people but the subject of all this, the drugs. Near every crime in this city is spawned by drugs and Insite isn't quite stopping use so much as just keeping the user safe. Now keeping these people safe is worth it but it's just a big band-aid on a very permanent problem. I realize I should care less how money is spent if it is in fact saving lives as reports suggest it does. But at what point do these people start helping themselves, if ever?
I don't suspect more are going into programs and successfully kicking it than there are new users knocking on the door. So how big can Insite get to keep all the area's users safe? Will the term "big box" and "safe injection" co-exist in the same sentence...again?
UPDATE - In the Metro this Morning was a short blurb about Insite: "...has saved taxpayers up to $8 million in health and criminal justice expenses..." It was from a Paper published in the Harm Reduction Journal, whatever the hell that is. If my math is right then Insite is money well spent. Also the idea of Paramedics spending less time in those alleys is a raging plus. Meet me at Emerson's office at 5pm, bring snacks!
I could say something smug here, like, "I'm in Siberia, what the hell are you doing this weekend" but I won't. I will say, that thanks to global warming it's about a million degrees in Irkutsk today and since the next two days will be on a train, a solid dose of trash is needed. And when it seems like Lindsay Lohan spent an entire week in just her bikini it seems like a good idea. Ready, set, go:
*Justin Timberlake's new song, 'Sexy Back" is supposed to be the hot single of the summer. They could use it here in Russia that is for certain. Blasting Euro-dance music everywhere. Thoughts?
*Apparently hollywood's new "it" couple is Jeff Goldblum and Nicole Richie. Sigh.
*And speaking of Euro awesomeness, David Hasselhoff, is so on fire right now its crazy. He actually does refer to himself as "The Hoff' - of course he totally should, that is A-mazing - and then I read that he got kicked out of Wimbledon for being too drunk. Hasslehoff, Tennis Hooligan... Love it.
You know, you have a nice morning, and then during 'lunch' you miss the ridiculous fact that Hedy Fry is running for the Liberal Party Leadership.
"I stand before you a woman, a Westerner, and that's a good start for anything. It's a time for Canadians to seize the opportunity boldly and aggressively to stretch once again, to reach beyond our grasp."
God help us all.
You got a playlist. Now go watch the Special Edition Colbert Report from the White House Correspondents' Dinner. I'll be back later. This is just too much awesome for one morning. Remember as Colbert says, "Reality has a well known liberal bias."
This is day 58. Fifty-Eight days since Emerson crossed the floor. I can't believe people are still up and arms about this - more people are protesting this than troops in Afghanistan, which kind of points out just how far out of whack priorities are for much of the political scene. Then again, they also have a song. Emerson Must Resign. It seems more ridiculous in video form. The flying banner that said this: "David Emerson - Call Home" flew over Ottawa.
58 days. I'm just saying.
Come on. Was Bill Clinton ever NOT sexier than Jimmy Carter? Of course I can think of nothing less sexy than Clinton entering a building to U2's "In the Name of Love" like a rock star. Moving right along, Patricia seems to be amazed that Clinton has had a "comeback" in the past five years. Now the thing is, besides jet setting around with George W. Bush's dad and hanging out with George W. himself, I think it is pretty hard to figure out anything of actual substance that Clinton has even done in 5-years. Actually I was kind of reminded how irrelevant Clinton could end up being during this week's West Wing. President Bartlett suggested his 8 years would simply be remembered for the last big action of military force in his presidency.
Of course, for Patricia, Clinton's speaking tour has to get back to the local - holy crap (literally after Monday) it's still on page one for an amazing 6th week - David Emerson situation. "As cynical post-Emersongate Vancouverites opened their wallets and their democratic hearts to Clinton last night, we can only hope that his redemptive salve soothes the embattled psyches of local politicos." I think that sets a new record for Emersonizing. Well played.
It only took six weeks of this story before a couple of democracy freedom fighters smeared manure on David Emerson's office door. Excellent. "Police haven't publicly identified the men, but they did say they were brothers. Officers said the pair would likely face mischief charges."
Question for the readers. Which is worse: That former premier, turned federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, is now the Liberal Defence Critic? Or that Lindsay Lohan had a one night stand with ex-flame Wilmer "Fez" Valderrama. [Egotastic]
On any other day I'd say the Lohan news was worse, but come on, having Vancouver South's Dosanjh as the Defence Critic, that takes the cake. I guess it could be worse Lohan could have been hooking up with Dosanjh? Ewwwww...
24 Hours's Sean Holman talked a bit about the off-white pumps purchased at Holt Renfrew that Taylor was going to wear to the budget today but we didn't get this part: "What you should first know is that Holt is one of the few stores that carries my size of shoes." Small feet? Big Feet? Now we're totally on edge. Although she didn't know during one interview, the shoes (by Gucci) supposedly cost $600. The Canadian Press was not having any of it acting like Janice Dickenson on America's Next Top Model:
"Taylor, in a long string of pearls and stylish black glasses, defended her wardrobe after she was asked about wearing shoes that few British Columbians could afford."The jacket I'm wearing is from the time when the mini was popular," she shot back.
And while some are delighting in the press and irony of the fancy shoes coupled with moving the luxury tax on cars from $49,000 to $55,000, this just means we that much closer to getting that A4.
Apparently the de-election festivities are happening this afternoon at Emerson's office, even as Emerson made his latest attempt at salvaging the situation on CTV's Question Period this afternoon. " I'm still not much of a political person, as perhaps you can now tell," said Emerson. "I'm not the sharpest political knife in the drawer, I quite freely admit that."
The stupid thing is this. If anyone can think of one other person - just one other person - who is better suited to the portfolio of International Trade and even more important to Vancouver, the 2010 Olympics in Ottawa to be represented by Vancouver i'd sure like to hear it. And I would say that what might actually be true is what Emerson told the Globe & Mail yesterday, "In my day-to-day life, I'm getting people coming up to me in the street who I have never seen before and they've been very kind and very positive. I have not had anyone come up to me and slam me for my decision."
Sure the NDP seems to be able to get 700 people out to protest this at day 12 or 13, but who is going to care at day 60 or 90? Lastly, Jack Layton seems to be spending an awful lot of his time and political capital talking about Emerson. I can guarantee you that the issue of Emerson won't help Layton in the next election, and in the long term this is a long term strategy for Harper - even if Emerson would have to move ridings. He should buy a house in North Vancouver and he'd be elected in a heartbeat. Have you seen Don Bell?
Buttons or no buttons, the reaction by some in the city about Harper and co.'s first week is laughably over the top. The Canadian Press called it "horrible". Crawford Kilian writes that a Toronto Star story claiming Emerson might resign, "might give us a happy ending to one of the most unpleasant weeks in Canadian political history." One of the most unpleasant weeks in Canadian political history? Are you even serious? I bet this won't even make the top twenty.
Unpleasant for whom? The 54% approval of Harper and his government thus far seems to say differently - that is nearly 20 points above the 36% who voted them in. Sure 48% think that Emerson and the appointment of Michael Fortier smells like rotten fish and old school politics. But let's not forget this. Paul Martin and his government scored a 70% on these issues.
And Emerson doesn't seem to be wavering much at all, telling The Province, "I am doing what I think is in the best interests of my riding, the best interests of the province."
But lets go back to the traitor/bait and switch questions. Let me get this straight, people who voted for David Emerson the cabinet minister, are pissed off because David Emerson ditched his greedy corrupt overlords to continue to serve his riding and country in governement as David Emerson the cabinet minister? People have been saying for years how important democratic reform is because the parties are too powerful. And here we have Emerson who has made his own way to deliver results to the people of Vancouver-Kingsway. Over at the CBC Anthony Westell has a rather calm meditation on the idea of switching sides.
Of course it isn't just the Liberals and NDP who are upset. The often http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Miersjellyfish like Conservative coalition is also second guessing Harper's newly found and epic "Rove-ian" political chess strategery. Blogger Damian Penny writes, "An MP can have legitimate reasons for crossing the floor or leaving caucus to sit as an independent, but the circumstances under which Emerson jumped ship betray nothing but pure, unadulterated opportunism. It makes Emerson look bad, and it makes the Conservative government look even worse."
If hanging out with nothing to do were a sport, this would be the shoe of choice for elite-level pros with multi-million-dollar contracts. In other words, this shoe is specifically designed for doing absolutely nothing, but being comfortable.
They are kind of the perfect shoe for blogging - since we don't get out of our Pajamas or leave our apartments anyways. Anyways, February 15th at the Edgewater Casino, TBWA/Chait/Day Creative Director Chuck McBride from Adidas will give brand nerds a rare look into, "the strategy, creative and launch of the new
'adidas_1' shoe" New Adidas shoe whoo hoo. [Newswire]
*Quite possibly the most entertaining spoof movie trailer ever. Brokeback...to the future.
*Hey Vancouverites, can you hardly contain yourself waiting for the big Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee announcement tommorow? They are going to tell us how much extra cash this whole thing is going to cost. Any guesses? [Canadian Press]
*Due to the new city council's failure to accomplish anything but fight, a World Peace Conference set for Vancouver, was cancelled. Vancouver Council 1, Peace 0. [CKNW]
*Later to peaces conferences. At least February has the Vancouver Burlesque Festival February 9-11. Enter a contest to go at The Georgia Straight.
*Attention geeks. The Stargate Vancouver Convention is set to rock you. Monday, March 27th at the scenic Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. Just to be a mean jerk, how awesome will this part be: "Saturday 9pm DESSERT PARTY & DANCE" Suh-weet. The Beau Bridges appearence, a crazy bonus. Really, Beau Bridges. Totally huge star power.
*Kitchen fire this afternoon at the sassy La Gavroche.
*April 28th. Mark it on the calendars if you like Death Cab for Cutie. That's when they hit Vancouver. Too bad that unlike every other Canadian city - Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary - gets Death Cab plus Franz Ferdinand. What gives? [Billboard]
*A very cool story that I saw, but didn't read, until I saw the new Silicon Valley gossip blog from Gawker, Valleywag. It starts with Vancouver community site publisher Bryght and gets into the story of Assemblenow.com - a startup that assembles you furniture - IKEA stuff too.
This is good news. Our sister site, Fed Kicker finally limped to life this evening to cover the "State of the Union" address. Of course, Fed Kicker is all about politics, mostly Canadian politics, but we begin tonight, South of the border, with the American State of the Union. There is some live blogging coverage.
Expect daily political coverage starting this month!
*One of my favs, Wonkette is tanned, rested, and ready for '06 - hopefully some live blogging of the State of the Union tonight, which is like the Super Bowl of politics. It's got a redesign, and two new editors. But wait, what about the 'ette' asks Defamer. [Wonkette]
*The new Jack White (and Brendan Benson) side project The Raconteurs has a throwback DOS website. [Stereogum]
*DataWhat? in a few short links explains the all powerful interweb. Midget breakdance off. More Lisa Loeb. Chewy blog.
*Family Guy rules. Stewie beats Brian up for screwing him on a bet. Wheres my money. Brian doing the Peanut Butter Jelly time will make you feel better. Right.
*Yeah, we like cool short films, John Malkovich, and big ads. But on what planet does a glossy 10-minute short scream, tires. [Adrants]
*Chris Walken in space. Magnificent. Click it.
-Quebec must have gorged on cheese and booze to elect 10 Conservatives. Non? Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew was voted off the island, the space candidate Marc Garneau lost by nearly 10,000 votes.
-Um, welcome our new 'Tory Glory' overlords. I think there was a Simpson's episode where Homer becomes an inventor and thinks up the make up shotgun. Marge isn't amused, and thinks it was set on whore. Interesting. It looks a lot like these Tory Gals. Yeah. Okay.
-Paul Martin is quiting as Liberal leader. But really, will he really stay as an MP? Who is he kidding?
-Alberta finally rid themselves of those pesky Liberal enclaves by sending deputy PM Anne McLellan packing plus her collegue Reg Alcock.
-And of course, over here, the NDP made some big gains on the west coast. Sadly, the five new NDP seats in BC did not includes Svend Robinsons.
Before I get to some very last minute political notes, I have a programming note for The Vancouverite: Due to scheduling conflicts, posting election results won't begin until late into the evening - you may get a few five-word jumble, but our clever services are needed elsewhere to fight crime or something like that. Until then here are some last minute thoughts:
*First. Will you just go and please vote already. And unlike some other people in this town, I could care less who you vote for. Apparently you can't vote Tuesday, just Monday. Got it?
*Why should you vote? Because your vote actually means something. And even better, the election may not be over within the first 10 seconds of the results this time. The country may actually be holding thier breath for BC's results. It's not too late to jump on that drunken with power Liberal band wagon people.
*Andrew Coyne's pre-election seat projector lists the parties as: Fascists, Crooks, Commies, and Traitors.
*This buger poll will be the least likely to accually predict the results. Let me go out on a limb here - Jack Layton is winning two things tommorow: Jack (pardon the pun) and squat - and Jack, heh, just left town.
*This is almost unfair. A day before the election, and there are 218 reasons not to vote Liberal. That's 218 reasons to choose your Canada. I did not make this up. Maybe some fun election videos will make Uncle Paul feel better.
*Always look on the lighter side of life. Check this one - 22 Minutes' version of a Liberal ad: "Stephen Harper wants to give old people a wedgie, then set a brown paper bag filled with dog poop on fire, then leave it on their front porch, ring the door bell, and run away. He said he'd do that. We didn't make that up. Choose Your Canada."
*Our French is not very good, but is this last Bloc ad some sort of Stephen Harper Brokeback Mountain attack? And the cowboy seems like high brow stuff compared to these local Conservative ads which are just awful.
The Vancouver Sun gives Stephen Harper a lukewarm endorsement today.
During this campaign, however, the Conservatives have rolled out a far-reaching program that offers new approaches to important issues like government accountability, health care and crime. Meanwhile, Harper himself has shown a new political maturity. While Martin appeared erratic at times, Harper stuck to his platform and his plan, and started to show the composure and focus we expect from a prime minister.
Meanwhile the Sun's messy little brother, The Province, does the same:
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who will never be accused of too much style and not enough substance, assembled a strong team for the election of 2006. He charged out the gate and seized the agenda through a series of thoughtful and "very Canadian" policy initiatives.
Gee, you aren't able to post anything for about 24 Hours, and you miss so much. While the rest of the country prepares to welcome our friendly Conservative overlord Stephen Harper with open arms, some local bloggers just didn't get the memo.
There is creepy shot of Stephen Harper's audition for Brokeback Mountain II, Beyond Robson begs you, "Please...Anyone but Harper", and of course, Matthew Good who sounds the alarm. "I have this terrible feeling that it’s going to be a good night for the Conservative Party, which I think would be a truly terrible thing for this country – most importantly from a foreign policy standpoint."
That hasn't stopped Vancouver Centre Conservative candidate Tony F (Fogarassy is cool, but crazy One letter mafia name is much cooler) thinks he can ride the wave of Harper-mania all the way to Ottawa, which will probably scare the crap out of Matt Good. Then again, The Georgia Straight picks Svend Robinson - I seem to remember they didn't pick winners in the Vancouver election back in November, but I digress.
Today, our governing overlords unloaded with a nice dozen of tv spots that really go after 'crazy' Stephen Harper, which is what politics is all about. Too bad, there was one spot that, oops, wasn't supposed to leak out. And then there was poor Ujjal Dosanjh, Vancouver South MP, out commenting on the new ads and saying how Paul Martin approved them all, and they were all fair game. Double oops. Gets Ujjal didn't get the talking points.
The ad? Of course CTV has it now. Ads ending in "We did not make this up" are just so awesome, it's hard to believe. Here's the text of the ad:
Stephen Harper actually announced he wants to increase military presence in our cities. Canadian cities. Soldiers with guns. In our cities. In Canada. We did not make this up. Choose your Canada
Mader Blog wonders if the disclaimer is because the Liberals are so completely full of it nobody believes anything they say anymore. Even better is Conservative MP Monte Solberg who is trembling from thier awesome power and working on his demos for the Daily Show:
The Lib attack ads are so scary I'm going to have to sleep tonight with the light on. I mean what if Stephen Harper is hiding under my bed and then smothers me with a drycleaning bag and steals my remaining Burnt Almond to give to an ultra-conservative Bush Republican, who packs a pistol AND a Bible. No, even better, it's a Bible machine gun. Yep, fires two hundred rounds a minute, and plays Amazing Grace at the same time. Perfect for huntin' varmints, and personal protection.
In the immortal words of Stifler, "It's on like Donkey Kong beeyotch". Conservatives strike back. How fun is this? Warren Kinsella says they'll work. Adam Daifallah thinks they are ironicly American.
Liberal incumbent Hedy Fry, the riding's MP since 1992, is in the lead in a Mustel Group Poll commissioned by The Province. Fry had 41 per cent support among decided voters, compared to 33 per cent for New Democrat Robinson and 19 per cent for Tony Fogarassy, the Conservative candidate. Jared Evans of the Green Party had seven per cent; four per cent cited "other" and there were seven per cent undecided.
Svend is down by 12 points. I think If I had to vote in this riding I would have to take a shower right after voting to get the stink off. The story suggests that 25% of people aren't supporting the NDP, and Svend Robinson because of "past criminal charges." Meanwhile Rafe Mair wonders if Hedy will suffer from the Gaglardi syndrome - named for a long forgotten pest of BC politics who everyone wanted thrown out of office. Unfortunetly this is a showdown of Gaglardi's - well maybe not unfortunetly, 'cause I guess it sure is fun for people to watch to a couple of politicos like this throw it down.
More: Mathew Good steps into the Canadian election to offer ten questions for the candidates as well. They questions about defense spending, missile defense, gay marriage, and not one question on the Liberal scandals. The funny part is that I bet you couldn't ask those same 10 questions to the average voter without 75% of people rolling thier eyes.
The fact that some have called the political battle for Vancouver Center the "battle of the divas" pretty much sums up exactly why we don't care. But this 24 Hour's article on the riding in today's issue claims that, "Vancouver Centre has become one of the most watched ridings in this federal election." Now, that may be so, but it isn't clear that anything of any note has happened in the race between Hedy Fry and Svend Robinson yet.
The Georgia Straight offers a little more context, but this supposed showdown is a depressing race between two "star" candidates most places wouldn't elect as dog catcher. Meanwhile, The Westender headlines an article with "Svending a Message" and that is about as deep as the coverage gets.
Got the update and what could be the big news from Nardwuar and his "2006 Election Hip Flip Poll".
Yesterday (Wed January 4th) Paul Martin *did not* do the Hip Flip (1960s twister-like game) when approached by intrepid reporter Nardwuar the Human Serviette -- aka the asker of the infamous "For me, pepper, I put it on my plate" question.
If the Hip Flip poll is to be believed, Jack Layton - the only leader to do this so far in this election - should follow in Paul Martin's 2004 footsteps. Martin won't do it again, and Harper is very slippery.
Well, 2005 is coming to a close, and 2006 is upon us. Our first post was way back on Halloween, and we still haven't had our official launch yet, but we have had 214 delicious posts, and some pretty damn good feedback thus far. Except those people who think we're just a bunch of blog warmongers.
I still haven't found The Vancouverite an intern yet - maybe the promises of calling Bill Good and stalking Tamara Taggart just weren't enough to overcome the sweatshop-like working conditions, although truthfully we haven't looked very hard - apply today!
Our first 8 weeks of posting has been a lot of fun - and when I'm not dropping nuclear bombs and fighting in Vancouver's blog land I've managed to post more than enough about the Canucks, Jennifer Good, 24 Hours, and Lynne McNamara. So I thank you for all your visits in 2005, and please come by early and often in 2006 when we start posting for "real". Which means you should look for the lawsuits, or name calling, to begin stacking up as we begin our assault on Vancouver's media scene.
In January we will have to drop the pretension that we are still in "beta" and the postings will be coming more regularly, hopefully. January will also mark the launch of our misguided politically obsessed political site, Fed Kicker, which has been preoccupied with things other than the elections, so far, but is keeping it's powder dry for the 23rd and the sprint for the finish in the elections.
Meanwhile here are some links to ring in the new year:
*Finally, Pac Man in mexican puppet theatre form. Genuis.
It's interesting to watch this election. The media and even voters are ready to throw somebody to the sharks - and you know when people start talking about about the things that get said during elections and how that is interpreted in other cultures we could be in for a bumpy ride.
In this case Industry Minister David Emerson refered to Jack Layton as having a "boiled dog's head smile." And Chinese voters don't react well to the negative impact and insult, that may not even be an insult, has on Layton in the Chinese community. But the dirty little secret of it all is that this campaigning in other languages is tool politicos have been increasingly using.
Well, he's still at it. And informs The Vancouverite that he's on the case and this week his target is Gilles Duceppe. Yes! That would be even better than when Mr. Duceppe wore that wicked awesome hair net.
*Get ready boys and girls, like Santa Claus, Paul Martin is coming to town later today. It would be excellent if we could see a lot of references to the whole popcorn and beer gaffe that plagued him this weekend. Of course there is already a "Kids not beer" website up.
*Best press release headline thus far in the campaign. "Svend him packing". The new issue of Maclean's isn't impressed with our friend Svend, "Now Robinson is back, once again running for a seat in the House of Commons. And this time it's Canadian voters who should be crying for help."
*Will six ridings in Surrey/Burnaby/New West be the new super battleground that the entire election could all come down to? "...the Liberals can be expected to carpet-bomb B.C. and Greater Vancouver in particular with announcements and campaign stops in a bid to make up for Quebec seats they expect to lose to the Bloc Quebecois" More from Burnaby Politics.
According to the number crunching poll by CTV/Globe & Mail, the race for the election in B.C. is tighter than a pair of Lululemon pants. The NDP is ahead with 31%, with the Liberals 30%, and the Torries 29% following close behind. Pardon the pun. The greens are up 4% from the last time at 10%.
In the lower mainland it is slighly less wide open with the Liberals 37%, Conservatives 28%, and the NDP 24%. And then there is this nugget. "In West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, a riding currently held by the Tories, the Liberals may win." This was John Reynolds' seat, but he's not running. Can you imagine if in West-Van they actually reward the Liberals with a seat after all this scandal. That would really be something.
This is excellent news and could provide some really great daily news down the campaign stretch. I'm fully endorsing the NDP in the federal election and I think that's the best thing our people can do is support the New Democratic Party in British Columbia for the federal election so I plan to actively do that," Emery told CTV.
Wasn't the line on Emery that he was a libertarian? Now he's supporting the NDP. What gives? PS: Marc, what happend to you man. He's totally jamming on that hobo chic thing. How derelicte. (Mugatu: Let me show you Derelicte. It is a fashion, a way of life inspired by the very homeless, the vagrants, the crack whores that make this wonderful city so unique.)
Politics is totallyhard. And mean. And not everyone thought acclaiming Svend Robinson to run for parliament again was a good idea. Mark Bonokoski writing the Toronto Sun talks about cesspools and kettles being called black.
"How can Jack Layton accuse the Liberals of 'helping themselves' in the sponsorship scandal, for example, when he has given his blessing to Sunday's endorsement of Svend Robinson, a politician who helped himself to a $50,000 antique ring while still sitting in the House of Commons. Truth is, he can't."
At least the Liberals are at least torn about somebody like Micheal Ignatieff's nuclear candidacy. But Svend? Nope the NDP loves him.
On whether or not there is a problem for Robinson to run against the Liberals given his 2004 theft of an expensive diamond ring, fellow NDPer Libby Davies says: ""That is a political culture of corruption that we are dealing with. In Svend Robinson's situation, we're dealing with an individual who had something very unfortunate happen and he immediately took responsibility for it."
