A few postings ago, I promised to post the video of a debate between Alan Borovoy of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Philippe Dufresne of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
So here it is:
Friday, October 31, 2008
Cabinet Size Does Matter
I am quoted in this National Post story on Harper's cabinet.
Here's the quote:
"This is a government which is going to be facing some tough economic times ahead, which might necessitate cutting back on some programs or spending initiatives, and I think the message they should be sending is that he's going to cut back as well," said Gerry Nicholls, senior fellow at the Democracy Institute.
Here's the quote:
"This is a government which is going to be facing some tough economic times ahead, which might necessitate cutting back on some programs or spending initiatives, and I think the message they should be sending is that he's going to cut back as well," said Gerry Nicholls, senior fellow at the Democracy Institute.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Harper's Cabinet
Here's a partial listing of Prime Minister Harper's new cabinet:
Leona Aglukkaq: Minister in Charge of Defending Our Socialist Health Care System.
Jim Prentice: Minister in Charge of Coming up with a Conservative version of a carbon tax, that won't actually be called a carbon tax.
Jason Kenney: Minister in Charge of Wooing Ethnic Votes
Rob Nicholson: Minister in Charge of Justifying the Human Rights Commission.
Peter Kent: Minister in Charge of Being From Toronto
Leona Aglukkaq: Minister in Charge of Defending Our Socialist Health Care System.
Jim Prentice: Minister in Charge of Coming up with a Conservative version of a carbon tax, that won't actually be called a carbon tax.
Jason Kenney: Minister in Charge of Wooing Ethnic Votes
Rob Nicholson: Minister in Charge of Justifying the Human Rights Commission.
Peter Kent: Minister in Charge of Being From Toronto
Bad, bad World Series
I am glad this World Series has finally been put out of its misery.
To quote Bill Chuck:
This has been the World Series of bad hitting.
This has also been the World Series of bad fielding.
This has been the World Series of bad umpiring.
This has been the World Series of bad weather.
This has been Bud’s Bad World Series
To quote Bill Chuck:
This has been the World Series of bad hitting.
This has also been the World Series of bad fielding.
This has been the World Series of bad umpiring.
This has been the World Series of bad weather.
This has been Bud’s Bad World Series
Media Alert
I was a guest on the Al and Mike Show last night where such topics as incrementalism and liberalism were discussed.
You can listen to the show here.
You can listen to the show here.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Five Quotes I'd Like to Hear
“The free market system is superior to socialism when it comes to generating wealth and prosperity.”
“We don’t need more government in Canada, we need less.”
“Since free speech is the life blood of democracy; it’s time to scrap election gag laws and it’s time to defang Human Rights Commissions.”
“Why is the government in the broadcast business? We should privatize the CBC.”
“The government’s monopoly on health care services must end; Canadians deserve a choice.”
Since becoming Prime Minister, Stephen Harper has never said any of these things; don't you wish he would?
“We don’t need more government in Canada, we need less.”
“Since free speech is the life blood of democracy; it’s time to scrap election gag laws and it’s time to defang Human Rights Commissions.”
“Why is the government in the broadcast business? We should privatize the CBC.”
“The government’s monopoly on health care services must end; Canadians deserve a choice.”
Since becoming Prime Minister, Stephen Harper has never said any of these things; don't you wish he would?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Book Binge
Yesterday I checked out a book sale that's held annually at Trinity College in Toronto.
And let me tell you, if you like books that's the place to be; tons of them of every description and category.
Tons of people too.
Anyway, I ended up buying four books:
Political Numeracy: Mathematical Perspectives on our chaotic constitution, by Michael Myerson. (Sounds a little complicated but what the heck.)
Goldwater, by Barry Goldwater and Jack Casserly. (The guy who turned me on to conservatism in the first place.)
The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World, by Rupert Smith (Seems topical)
Dennis Miller, The Rants, by Dennis Miller (I need a laugh every once in a while.)
Now I just have to find time to read them.
And let me tell you, if you like books that's the place to be; tons of them of every description and category.
Tons of people too.
Anyway, I ended up buying four books:
Political Numeracy: Mathematical Perspectives on our chaotic constitution, by Michael Myerson. (Sounds a little complicated but what the heck.)
Goldwater, by Barry Goldwater and Jack Casserly. (The guy who turned me on to conservatism in the first place.)
The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World, by Rupert Smith (Seems topical)
Dennis Miller, The Rants, by Dennis Miller (I need a laugh every once in a while.)
Now I just have to find time to read them.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Just Don't Vote
A lot of people are fretting about the low voter turn out in the last federal election.
But not Will Wilkinson of the CATO Institute who says voter apathy can be a good thing.
H/T Paul Tuns
But not Will Wilkinson of the CATO Institute who says voter apathy can be a good thing.
H/T Paul Tuns
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Worthington on Dion
Toronto Sun columnist Peter Worthington has an interesting comment on Stephane Dion's decision to stick around for a few more months.
And yes, the only reason I am linking to this column is because Worthington says something nice about me.
And yes, the only reason I am linking to this column is because Worthington says something nice about me.
Obama Vs McCain Dance Contest
OK I'm not sure if this is funny or just weird.
Unbelievable McCain Vs. Obama Dance-Off - Watch more Free Videos
H/T Peter "Jaws" Jaworksi
Unbelievable McCain Vs. Obama Dance-Off - Watch more Free Videos
H/T Peter "Jaws" Jaworksi
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Three Wise Guys at the Fraser Institute
Was in Ottawa yesterday to speak at a Fraser Institute "Behind the Spin" event.
Here's a photo of me along with the two other speakers; that's cyberwiz Stephen Taylor on the left, Joel-Denis Bellavance of La Presse in the centre and me on the right, once again defending my "Takes Worst Picture in the World" championship.
It was a fun night, with lots of political discussion.
Thanks to the Fraser Institute's Tasha Kheiriddin who hosted the evening and to Dr. Roy for taking the picture.
Actually Dr. Roy has a write up on the evening here.
Tories and Incrementalism
In case anybody missed it, I had a column yesterday in the National Post.
It's my post-election advice to the Conservative government: Drop the incremental stuff and start acting like real conservatives.
It's my post-election advice to the Conservative government: Drop the incremental stuff and start acting like real conservatives.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Dion in Denial
According to Stephane Dion the Liberal election loss was everybody's fault except his.
Especially to blame says Dion was the Conservative Party which had the audacity to actually run an effective attack ad campaign.
Shame on them!
Oh and Dion knows losing the election wasn't his fault because all his friends told him he ran a good campaign.
Man, this guy is living in denial.
If I am Liberal I would want to move up the Liberal leadership convention to next week.
Especially to blame says Dion was the Conservative Party which had the audacity to actually run an effective attack ad campaign.
Shame on them!
Oh and Dion knows losing the election wasn't his fault because all his friends told him he ran a good campaign.
Man, this guy is living in denial.
If I am Liberal I would want to move up the Liberal leadership convention to next week.
Defining Liberty
I had a great time this weekend at the Canadian Constitution Foundation conference in Toronto.
The theme for the conference was "Individual Freedom and the Common Good: Defining Human Rights in a Free Society".
Topics included protecting the environment through property rights; Aboriginal Rights in the 21st century and Judicial Activism in Canada.
The most interesting part of the conference however was a debate between Alan Borovoy of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Philippe Dufresne of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The CCF will be posting that debate on Youtube at a later date and I will link to it when it becomes available.
What I thought was interesting about this debate was that the Human Rights Commission even agreed to participate.
They are probably engaging in a little PR damage control which means all that negative press coverage they are getting is hurting them.
Of course, this might be a signal for the Conservative government to clip their wings.
But that probably won't happen.
Also was glad to see my friend Dr. Roy at the conference and to meet Connie and Mark Fournier of Free Dominon fame.
The theme for the conference was "Individual Freedom and the Common Good: Defining Human Rights in a Free Society".
Topics included protecting the environment through property rights; Aboriginal Rights in the 21st century and Judicial Activism in Canada.
The most interesting part of the conference however was a debate between Alan Borovoy of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Philippe Dufresne of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The CCF will be posting that debate on Youtube at a later date and I will link to it when it becomes available.
What I thought was interesting about this debate was that the Human Rights Commission even agreed to participate.
They are probably engaging in a little PR damage control which means all that negative press coverage they are getting is hurting them.
Of course, this might be a signal for the Conservative government to clip their wings.
But that probably won't happen.
Also was glad to see my friend Dr. Roy at the conference and to meet Connie and Mark Fournier of Free Dominon fame.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Frum and Me
Recently on his NRO blog, David Frum put a hyper-postive spin on the Conservative Party's electoral victory.
This led me to send him an email offering a "dissenting" opinion.
He asked if he could post my comment on his blog and I said sure, so check it out.
This led me to send him an email offering a "dissenting" opinion.
He asked if he could post my comment on his blog and I said sure, so check it out.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Obama Out of Touch
Barack Obama recently took John McCain to task for claiming he spoke for guys like the famous "Joe the Plumber."
"How many plumbers do you know who make a quarter of a million dollars a year?" mocked Obama.
Clearly, Obama has never had to pay a plumber to fix a leaky faucet.
"How many plumbers do you know who make a quarter of a million dollars a year?" mocked Obama.
Clearly, Obama has never had to pay a plumber to fix a leaky faucet.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Spinning the Election
Every party was a winner last night:
The Tories strengthened their minority government made gains across the country and even won a few urban seats.
The Liberals, despite having a weak leader, revitalized its brand in Quebec and held onto its core urban support base. It's now well poised to make huge gains in the next election.
The NDP increased its number of seats and made gains in BC, Ontario and in Atlantic Canada.
The Bloc Quebecois held firm and continues to be the most dominant federal party in Quebec.
The Green enjoyed a breakthrough year, gaining wide attention for its platform and increasing its popular vote.
Or ....
Every party was a loser last night.
The Tories failed to win a majority government despite facing the weakest Liberal leader in 100 years and its scheme to achieve an electoral breakthrough in Quebec was a major bust.
The Liberals got crushed; they lost seats and declined in the popular vote. Even worse, they now have Justin Trudeau in their caucus.
The NDP failed to leap ahead of the faltering Liberals and will once again settle for third place.
The Bloc failed to dislodge the Tory beachhead in Quebec.
The Greens despite massive publicity and a fawning media failed to win a single seat and their leader may have tainted the brand name with cynical political games.
The Tories strengthened their minority government made gains across the country and even won a few urban seats.
The Liberals, despite having a weak leader, revitalized its brand in Quebec and held onto its core urban support base. It's now well poised to make huge gains in the next election.
The NDP increased its number of seats and made gains in BC, Ontario and in Atlantic Canada.
The Bloc Quebecois held firm and continues to be the most dominant federal party in Quebec.
The Green enjoyed a breakthrough year, gaining wide attention for its platform and increasing its popular vote.
Or ....
Every party was a loser last night.
The Tories failed to win a majority government despite facing the weakest Liberal leader in 100 years and its scheme to achieve an electoral breakthrough in Quebec was a major bust.
The Liberals got crushed; they lost seats and declined in the popular vote. Even worse, they now have Justin Trudeau in their caucus.
The NDP failed to leap ahead of the faltering Liberals and will once again settle for third place.
The Bloc failed to dislodge the Tory beachhead in Quebec.
The Greens despite massive publicity and a fawning media failed to win a single seat and their leader may have tainted the brand name with cynical political games.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My Timid Forecast
Here are my official election seat predictions.
Liberals 88
Tories 130
NDP 34
Bloc 55
Independent 1
Green 0
Please keep in mind my election predictions are wrong 19 out of 20 times.
Anyway, I am going along with the popular consensus of a Tory minority, mainly because that's what all the polls are calling for and I am playing it safe.
But something deep inside my gut says we might end up with an unexpected result. (Of course, that might just be indigestion.)
Liberals 88
Tories 130
NDP 34
Bloc 55
Independent 1
Green 0
Please keep in mind my election predictions are wrong 19 out of 20 times.
Anyway, I am going along with the popular consensus of a Tory minority, mainly because that's what all the polls are calling for and I am playing it safe.
But something deep inside my gut says we might end up with an unexpected result. (Of course, that might just be indigestion.)
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