Vote for the Environment

I believe that the environment and climate change are very important issues that need to be addressed in the upcoming Canadian federal elections. Please share the following information with as many poeple as you can.

"VoteForEnvironment.ca was designed by Canadians who believe what the vast majority of the world’s scientists have told us. That we are out of time and we must start to reduce our fossil fuel pollution now to save the planet from dangerous climate change." Read more...>>>

Greenspan, Derivatives and the Financial Crisis

Alan Greenspan, the former US Federal Reserve Chairman, consistently opposed the oversight and regulation of financial contracts, known as derivatives, by the US Congress and regulatory institutions in the United States. On the other hand, American investor, Warren E. Buffett and American financial speculator, George Soros, do not like using derivatives in their businesses.

As per the New York Times article, "Taking Hard New Look at a Greenspan Legacy", and I quote, "If Mr. Greenspan had acted differently during his tenure as Federal Reserve chairman from 1987 to 2006, many economists say, the current crisis might have been averted or muted."

This New York Times article highlights the problems that arise when we fail to question authority and those in power. Putting our blind faith in others and following them meekly should be a no-no. This financial crisis reminds me of the proverbial saying, "the love of money is the root of all evil." Greenspan would have done well to remember this. Strangely, Greenspan was often referred to as the "Oracle" in many circles.

Harper and Bush

Check out videos on the economy and foreign policy, courtesy of the Liberals.

Thank the Liberals that we did not go to war in Iraq.

Canadian immigrants want to be 'heard"

Canadian immigrants come from various countries all over the world. They arrive from Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, Latin America, China, India, Russia, Israel and the Middle East. They come from poor and rich countries, peacetime and wartime countries, communist, socialist and capitalist countries. They may be victims of torture and persecution and they can also be economic, environmental, political and wartime refugees. One thing, most of them agree on, is that they arrive in search of a “better life” in Canada.

The challenges they face are numerous in Canada. There are cultural, linguistic, social, economic and political hurdles to overcome as they resettle in their new homeland. Many Canadians including politicians don't really understand the issues and concerns that many immigrants face when they migrate to Canada. At election, time, they are courted by all the major parties for their votes. They have many issues that they want to be addressed. You have to be a Canadian citizen in order to vote in the Canadian federal elections.

Read more here.

Christine Innes is giving Olivia Chow "a run for her money"

Olivia Chow, the NDP incumbent for Trinity-Spadina seems to be intimidated by the Liberal challenger Christine Innes. Chow is federal NDP leader Jack Layton’s wife. Christine, a lawyer and community activist, easily won the all-candidates debate, that was held on October 6, 2008 in Trinity-Spadina.

As one blogger noted, Olivia seems “terrified” about Liberal challenger Christine Innes. I happen to agree with him. During the debate, Olivia realised that Innes is a “serious contender”. Innes is literally giving Chow “a run for her money”. Don’t get me wrong, Olivia has done a lot of things for this riding at the municipal level, but since she has gone to Ottawa, she seems disconnected to the folks in the riding. Olivia has also cancelled debates at the last minute. This did not sit very well with the other candidates including Stephen LaFrenie of the Green Party and Christine McGirr of the Conservatives. The audience at the debate on October 6th , also voiced their disapproval loudly.

The Trinity-Spadina riding is rapidly changing with expensive condos going up all over the neighbourhood. The newer residents are empty nesters and the more economically well-off. This is having an impact on the bohemian mindset of the neighbourhood since this riding is becoming more up-scale. Change is happening. Mind you, it is still the home for many artists and students, including those from University of Toronto. Olivia and Jack support the arts community and they get a lot of help and support from this community and also from many young students.

Now about the vandalism happening in Trinity-Spadina. It is unacceptable that these incidents are happening. I do hope that cool heads prevail before any harm is done to anyone.

Where is Jack Layton?

Check out this blog http://wheresjack.wordpress.com/

It seems that federal NDP leader Jack Layton is not even paying attention to his own riding Toronto-Danforth. Peter Tabuns was ejected from an all party candidates meeting when he showed up to debate in Layton's place.

Canadian Election Debates

The Canadian election debates were held on October 1, 2008 in French and October 2, 2008 in English. Stephen Harper, Stephane Dion, Jack Layton, Elizabeth May and Gilles Duceppe were all present to participate in these much anticipated debates. Steve Paikin from TV Ontario was the moderator. Both official languages, French and English, were used during the debates.

Issues that were discussed and debated included the war in Afghanistan, the economy, the environment and climate change, health, arts and culture, crime and punishment, the Green Shift, carbon taxes, cap and trade system and some other issues.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was on auto-cruise, laid-back and was trying not to rock the boat since he was ahead in the polls. He came across a bit stiff and on script. The other four candidates were targeting him also. Harper was seen as not taking the economic crisis seriously. Harper is also tough on crime; he wants to lock up 14-year-old juveniles for life.

Jack Layton was his same old self. He was mostly trying to go on the attack mostly after Dion and Harper. The NDP has seen their numbers increase with respect to the popular vote in this election. Layton is very predictable and lacks passion, vision and fails to come up with new solutions. He says to vote for a new "strong" in his ads. I still do not buy it. There is something about him that I do not trust.

Gilles Duceppe was the surprise of both debates. Too bad that the Bloc only runs candidates in Quebec. Duceppe is a pragmatist who is down to earth and has a good grasp and knowledge of the issues. He has a great deal of heart and soul, and a passion for politics. I would trust him and vote for him under different circumstances.

Stephane Dion finally got his chance to shine during the debates. He presented his party's agenda and also went in depth into his Green Shift plan. He came across as someone who is a problem-solver and who is searching for new solutions to the problems Canadians are facing today. Dion is a passionate political thinker who wants Canadians "to have fun." He has a funny sense of humour. I applaud him for being as he said "courageous", to tackle climate change and putting it as the main issue on his party's platform. He also addressed the economic issues head on. He came across as a gutsy politician.

Finally, Elizabeth May deserves a honourable mention for being present at the debates. She was articulate and passionate, and presented her party's platform admirably. The Liberals and the Greens are the parties that are pursuing carbon credits for greenhouse gas emissions. Elizabeth is a gutsy woman - a Canadian politician who is not afraid to tell Canadians the truth. She presents her positions clearly on the issues. She held her own against the others, all men, and I do believe that most Canadians would applaud her debut at these debates.

I was glad that I had the opportunity to watch both TV debates, since I usually miss them because of work. The debates gave all parties the opportunity to present their party's agenda. I got a better sense how the candidates viewed the issues and how they stacked up to one another. Many Canadians do not usually get to speak to the party leaders and their candidates. Many candidates have scripted appearances and are not easily approachable to Canadians. I am very glad that the Internet is changing the way elections are being covered and the way information is readily available on the World Wide Web.

(P.S. red eyes--I posted the above since you had asked. I know that it is a bit late. I had some problems with my computer. Everything is fine now.)

United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM)

NORTHCOM was created on October 1, 2002. It protects the United States homeland and support local, state, and federal authorities.

Northcomm, HAARP and Chemtrails

Sometimes, I see so many chemtrails in the sky, you have to wonder what is going on. It is so noticeable, it is hard to ignore. Worth reading. Check it out here.

Where The Mind Is Without Fear

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by

narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the

dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening

thought and action;

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, visual artist, playwright, novelist, and composer. He became Asia's first Nobel Laureate when he won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature.