My son is graduating from high school on Friday.
And in order graduate, he not only had to pass his academic courses, he also had to complete a minimum of "40 hours of mandatory Community Involvement."
This is supposed to develop "a sense of civic responsibility and strong community values."
So civic responsibility, in other words, means forcing kids to work for no pay.
To me that sounds like slavery.
Update:
Paul Tuns gets it.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Harper and the Media
Prime Minister Stephen Harper did something unusual today: he held a news conference.
In fact, his news conference today was the first one he has held in the National Press Theatre since he became Prime Minister 19 months ago.
That might suprise some people, but not me.
Do you know how many news conferences Harper held during the four years he was president of the National Citizens Coalition?
Exactly one.
News conferences just aren't his bit.
In fact, his news conference today was the first one he has held in the National Press Theatre since he became Prime Minister 19 months ago.
That might suprise some people, but not me.
Do you know how many news conferences Harper held during the four years he was president of the National Citizens Coalition?
Exactly one.
News conferences just aren't his bit.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
No to MMP Says Study
There's a new conservative-oriented group out there called the Canadian Centre for Policy Studies which is doing some interesting stuff.
And one of the interesting things they have done is release a study examining whether or not Ontarians should support a new electoral system -- otherwise known as Mixed Member Proportional Representation.
Their conclusion: Thumbs Down.
Update:
Here's some more debate on MMP.
Update 2:
Here's another study on MMP from the Work Research Foundation. They give it a Thumbs Up.
And one of the interesting things they have done is release a study examining whether or not Ontarians should support a new electoral system -- otherwise known as Mixed Member Proportional Representation.
Their conclusion: Thumbs Down.
Update:
Here's some more debate on MMP.
Update 2:
Here's another study on MMP from the Work Research Foundation. They give it a Thumbs Up.
Property Rights Blues
"The system of private property is the most important guaranty of freedom, not only for those who own property, but scarcely less for those who do not."
That quote is from Friedrich Hayek's The Road to Serfdom, a book which the judges who sit on Manitoba's Court of Appeal clearly never read.
Otherwise they never would have rendered such an astonishingly bad ruling.
That quote is from Friedrich Hayek's The Road to Serfdom, a book which the judges who sit on Manitoba's Court of Appeal clearly never read.
Otherwise they never would have rendered such an astonishingly bad ruling.
Monday, October 01, 2007
To Boldly Analyze
When elections roll around a lot of people like to "crunch the numbers" in an effort to analyze possible voting outcomes.
But since the Ontario election is pretty, mind numbingly boring, I am looking for other number crunching studies.
For instance, I have come across this analysis examining the correlation between shirt colours and fatalities on the old Star Trek series.
Did you know red-shirted crew members on Star Trek tended to die in groups? Or that in 17 red-shirt fatality episodes, 8 were multiple incidents, 9 were single incidents?
Also, in a little less than 50% of the fatal red-shirt situations, multiple crewmen were vaporized?
Wow, that's just mind boggling.
But since the Ontario election is pretty, mind numbingly boring, I am looking for other number crunching studies.
For instance, I have come across this analysis examining the correlation between shirt colours and fatalities on the old Star Trek series.
Did you know red-shirted crew members on Star Trek tended to die in groups? Or that in 17 red-shirt fatality episodes, 8 were multiple incidents, 9 were single incidents?
Also, in a little less than 50% of the fatal red-shirt situations, multiple crewmen were vaporized?
Wow, that's just mind boggling.
Winning the War of Ideas
I have a little bit of work ahead of me.
The Democracy Institute has commissioned me to write an analysis of conservatism in Canada.
More specifically, they want me suggest ways in which Canadian conservatives can win the war of ideas in this country.
Sounds like fun!
I would like to give a special thanks to the John Dobson Foundation for its generous financial support which helped make this project happen.
The Democracy Institute has commissioned me to write an analysis of conservatism in Canada.
More specifically, they want me suggest ways in which Canadian conservatives can win the war of ideas in this country.
Sounds like fun!
I would like to give a special thanks to the John Dobson Foundation for its generous financial support which helped make this project happen.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Harper's Deficit
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty seems so pleased to announce his government has amassed another monster budgetary surplus.
He's like a CEO bragging about corporate profits.
But, of course, government surpluses are not like profits.
A surplus means the government is taking in so much of our money that even our bureaucrats and politicians, despite their best efforts, can't spend it all.
Now a truly conservative government would take all that extra money and give it back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.
Yet that probably won't happen.
More likely Prime Minister Harper will take most of that surplus loot and use it to buy votes in places like Quebec.
Which just goes to show the Harper government actually does have a deficit when it comes to principle.
He's like a CEO bragging about corporate profits.
But, of course, government surpluses are not like profits.
A surplus means the government is taking in so much of our money that even our bureaucrats and politicians, despite their best efforts, can't spend it all.
Now a truly conservative government would take all that extra money and give it back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.
Yet that probably won't happen.
More likely Prime Minister Harper will take most of that surplus loot and use it to buy votes in places like Quebec.
Which just goes to show the Harper government actually does have a deficit when it comes to principle.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Up from Conservatism
A friend sent me this interesting article, in which an objectivist tries to define conservatism.
It's useful reading for those of us trying to define the Canadian brand of conservatism.
It's useful reading for those of us trying to define the Canadian brand of conservatism.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Dion Vs. a Carrot
A couple of postings ago, I came up with a list of ten people who I thought would make a better Liberal leader than Stephane Dion.
What seemed to catch everyone's attention about that list was that included a carrot.
Yes a carrot.
Anyway, I got some emails suggesting (sometimes in forceful language) I was being unfair to Dion.
Dion is clearly superior, said these emails, to a carrot.
But I don't think so.
Let's see what happens, for instance, when Dion goes head to head, er I mean head to root against a carrot when it comes to key leadership issues:
Vision: Stephane Dion wants to move the Liberal Party to the Left. A carrot is good for your eyesight.
Advantage: The Carrot.
Charisma: Stephane Dion is a former academic with a keen interest in constitutional affairs. A carrot is an inert piece of vegetable matter.
Advantage: The Carrot
Environmental Policy: Stephane Dion has a green plan. A carrot is actually organic and has a green stem and feathery green leaves.
Advantage: The Carrot
Speaking Ability: Stephane Dion speaks French and a dialect strongly resembling English. Carrots cannot speak.
Advantage: Slight edge to Dion.
Popularity: Stephane Dion has Liberals second-guessing his leadership, he is stuck in the polls and his party just lost a key by-election in his home province. Carrots are a wildly popular vegetable and a rich source of dietary fibre, antioxidants and minerals.
Advantage: The Carrot.
You can't argue with the evidence. The carrot wins hands down. Well it would if a carrot had hands.
What seemed to catch everyone's attention about that list was that included a carrot.
Yes a carrot.
Anyway, I got some emails suggesting (sometimes in forceful language) I was being unfair to Dion.
Dion is clearly superior, said these emails, to a carrot.
But I don't think so.
Let's see what happens, for instance, when Dion goes head to head, er I mean head to root against a carrot when it comes to key leadership issues:
Vision: Stephane Dion wants to move the Liberal Party to the Left. A carrot is good for your eyesight.
Advantage: The Carrot.
Charisma: Stephane Dion is a former academic with a keen interest in constitutional affairs. A carrot is an inert piece of vegetable matter.
Advantage: The Carrot
Environmental Policy: Stephane Dion has a green plan. A carrot is actually organic and has a green stem and feathery green leaves.
Advantage: The Carrot
Speaking Ability: Stephane Dion speaks French and a dialect strongly resembling English. Carrots cannot speak.
Advantage: Slight edge to Dion.
Popularity: Stephane Dion has Liberals second-guessing his leadership, he is stuck in the polls and his party just lost a key by-election in his home province. Carrots are a wildly popular vegetable and a rich source of dietary fibre, antioxidants and minerals.
Advantage: The Carrot.
You can't argue with the evidence. The carrot wins hands down. Well it would if a carrot had hands.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Defending Conservatism
I know I have been talking about Tom Flanagan a lot lately.
Here and here, for instance.
But I guess I am fated to be the ying to Flanagan's yang. He keeps saying it's OK for Conservatives to sell out their principles, I keep saying it's wrong.
Anyway, he has an article in C2C, the new conservative online journal which, yes you guessed it, defends the Harper government's record.
The editor asked me to write a response, which appears on the same page.
Here and here, for instance.
But I guess I am fated to be the ying to Flanagan's yang. He keeps saying it's OK for Conservatives to sell out their principles, I keep saying it's wrong.
Anyway, he has an article in C2C, the new conservative online journal which, yes you guessed it, defends the Harper government's record.
The editor asked me to write a response, which appears on the same page.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Flanagan's Follies
As I noted a couple of postings ago, I will be debating Thomas Flanagan at a Fraser Institute event in a few weeks on whether or not the Conservative Party is heading in the right direction.
So it was with great interest that I read his column in today's Globe and Mail, in which Moses-like, he lays out 10 commandments the Conservatives must follow to achieve political success.
One of his commandments particularly struck me: "Canada is not yet a conservative or Conservative country. The party can't win if it veers too far to the right of the average voter."
Translation: To be successful the Conservative Party must betray its base, sacrifice its principles, scrap its values and act just like Liberals because the average voter is too attached to bloated government and high taxes.
My how times have changed.
At one time, both Flanagan and Stephen Harper would have defined political success as making Canada a better, freer place, where Canadians can keep more of the money they earn.
Now apparently success is defined simply as replacing Liberal big government, with Conservative big government.
To me that's not success, it's abject failure.
Believe me, I am looking forward to that debate!
So it was with great interest that I read his column in today's Globe and Mail, in which Moses-like, he lays out 10 commandments the Conservatives must follow to achieve political success.
One of his commandments particularly struck me: "Canada is not yet a conservative or Conservative country. The party can't win if it veers too far to the right of the average voter."
Translation: To be successful the Conservative Party must betray its base, sacrifice its principles, scrap its values and act just like Liberals because the average voter is too attached to bloated government and high taxes.
My how times have changed.
At one time, both Flanagan and Stephen Harper would have defined political success as making Canada a better, freer place, where Canadians can keep more of the money they earn.
Now apparently success is defined simply as replacing Liberal big government, with Conservative big government.
To me that's not success, it's abject failure.
Believe me, I am looking forward to that debate!
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Liberals Should Thank Me
You know what has to be the easiest task ever?
Coming up with a list of people who would make a better leader than Stephane Dion.
In fact, I came up with such a list in about five seconds.
Here it is:
People Who Would Make a Better Liberal Leader Than Stephane Dion
- Britney Speers
- A cardboard cutout of Stephane Dion
- Anybody randomly picked out of the phonebook
- Stephane Dion's dog, Kyoto
- A carrot
- Urkel
- The Scottish guy on Canadian Tire money
- Mr. Clean
- Me
- You
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Media Alert
I am going to be a guest panelist on the John Oakley Show, Friday morning starting at approximately 9:00 AM EST.
No Fall Election
Some pundits are suggesting Prime Minister Harper, buoyed with his recent political success in Quebec's by-election, will be tempted to gamble and call a general election this fall.
Toronto Star columnist James Travers, for instance, suggests the Prime Minister will want to take advantage of the momentum the Tories now enjoy.
Maybe.
But after working with Harper for about five years when he was with the National Citizens Coalition, I know him pretty well.
And one of the things I know about Stephen, is he doesn't like to take risks or to make strategy on the fly.
He is no gambler.
What Harper does like to do is prepare carefully crafted, usually brilliantly conceived, long range plans of action.
And he will stick to those plans come hell or high water.
So unless an election is forced upon them (perhaps by Liberals eager for an excuse to dump Stephane Dion) don't expect the Tories to deviate from the script.
And the script is to hold onto power for as long as possible.
Toronto Star columnist James Travers, for instance, suggests the Prime Minister will want to take advantage of the momentum the Tories now enjoy.
Maybe.
But after working with Harper for about five years when he was with the National Citizens Coalition, I know him pretty well.
And one of the things I know about Stephen, is he doesn't like to take risks or to make strategy on the fly.
He is no gambler.
What Harper does like to do is prepare carefully crafted, usually brilliantly conceived, long range plans of action.
And he will stick to those plans come hell or high water.
So unless an election is forced upon them (perhaps by Liberals eager for an excuse to dump Stephane Dion) don't expect the Tories to deviate from the script.
And the script is to hold onto power for as long as possible.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Tuns' Sour Take on By-Election
Just when I was enjoying the Liberal Party's embarrassing showing in Quebec, Paul Tuns AKA "Captain Bring Down", pours cold water on the whole thing.
Writes Tuns:
"For once what is bad for the Liberal Party is also bad for Canada. After winning only its second seat in Quebec (ever), NDP leader Jack Layton will believe his party has a chance in the province; the Harper Conservatives will likewise focus on extending their presence in Quebec; the Liberals will be desperate to regain their stature there. All this means that Quebec will be the center of Canadian politics for the foreseeable future. Again. Let the posturing and bidding commence."
Sheesh, even when we win, we lose.
Writes Tuns:
"For once what is bad for the Liberal Party is also bad for Canada. After winning only its second seat in Quebec (ever), NDP leader Jack Layton will believe his party has a chance in the province; the Harper Conservatives will likewise focus on extending their presence in Quebec; the Liberals will be desperate to regain their stature there. All this means that Quebec will be the center of Canadian politics for the foreseeable future. Again. Let the posturing and bidding commence."
Sheesh, even when we win, we lose.
More Burqa Stuff
My friend Rondi Adamson has good piece in the Brussels Journal on the burqa controversy.
I am not Screwing up Canada
As readers of this blog know, I am one of the "Top 5 Political Minds in Canada".
Well, now some people are nominating me for another title: "One of the 10 People Not Screwing up Canada".
Now that's an achievement.
H/T Brian
Well, now some people are nominating me for another title: "One of the 10 People Not Screwing up Canada".
Now that's an achievement.
H/T Brian
Monday, September 17, 2007
Me vs. Flanagan
Get ready for the ultimate showdown! Get ready for the brawl to end it all!
On October 23, 2007, I will be debating political science professor and former Conservative Party advisor, Thomas Flanagan on whether or not the federal Tory party is heading in the right direction.
Should be interesting.
The debate will take place at the Fraser Institutes's "Behind the Spin" event in Toronto.
Go here for information on how to register.
Don't you dare miss it.
On October 23, 2007, I will be debating political science professor and former Conservative Party advisor, Thomas Flanagan on whether or not the federal Tory party is heading in the right direction.
Should be interesting.
The debate will take place at the Fraser Institutes's "Behind the Spin" event in Toronto.
Go here for information on how to register.
Don't you dare miss it.
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