Seven Deadly Sins?

We demand a recount!

Duncan and I had so much fun in Las Vegas I don’t even know where to start ... it was absolutely FABULOUS. Magnificent. We were hand in hand smiling to ourselves the whole time. I can't think of anyone I would have rather experienced Vegas with!

We had clear weather for travelling which availed to us the delight of viewing the impressive terrain belonging to Death Valley (California), which we flew over on our way to Nevada (via Vancouver). We arrived in Las Vegas in the afternoon and immediately (and with much excitement) cruised the strip, stopping to have dinner at the Paris buffet (tres bon!) before heading to Bally’s to enjoy the late show of Donn Arden’s Jubilee! This year it is the show’s 25th Anniversary, and it is definitely traditional Vegas. We enjoyed it greatly.


We had a chance to see many shows during our visit and in addition to Jubilee!, we also saw the late show of Folies Bergere at the Tropicana (these two shows are considered to be the best of the Showgirls acts in Vegas), an afternoon show of the comedian Mac King (we laughed for an hour and a half!) and of course, the Cirque Du Soleil show KÁ at the MGM Grand.

Food in Vegas is AMAZING and plentiful. Buffets galore! We enjoyed the special Sunday brunch buffet at the Hilton before exploring the Star Trek Experience (won’t describe what happens here lest I spoil it for anyone who has yet to still go) and having drinks at Quark’s Bar. We enjoyed the dinner buffet at le Village Paris (twice, as it was my favourite), the famous dinner "Cravings" buffet at the Mirage (best strawberry daiquiris on the strip and my second favourite buffet), the breakfast buffet at the Stratosphere and the wedding reception dinner which was held at the "Dishes" Buffet in TI. We also enjoyed some sit down meals at places like Nine Fine Irishmen’s Pub (NYNY), a light lunch at HOOTERS (Hooters Casino), a 5.99 12 oz Steak Dinner at the famous Binions (Freemont Street), drinks at Tsunami (Venetian) and we bit into a doughnut from Krispy Kreme (Excalibur) that we never could have guessed would taste so good!


We managed to get to a few dance and nightclubs that were all very Vegas in their own way. Of notable mention is Coyote Ugly (Dance Club) in New York New York (where the female bartenders have literally elevated pouring drinks to an art form), the Tangerine in TI (famous for their burlesque table dancing performances) and Mist, also in TI. All very good experiences.

Duncan and I explored the strip day after day. At the Venetian, which I thought was quite grand and romantic, we enjoyed a private gondola ride through the canals outside of the hotel, kissing all the way through the tunnel (supposed to be good luck) and enjoying the sun as our gondolier sang to us in Italian. Up the Eiffel Tower at night we observed the lights of the strip and watched the Bellagio water show (which was very cool). I became quite enamoured with the Sirens of TI, the architecture of Caesar’s Palace, the Sphinx at the Luxor, the skyline of NYNY, Paris and the Bellagio. Here are a few shots:

The Arc d'Triumph at Paris

The Eiffel Tower at Paris

The skyline of New York New York

The Sphinx and Pyramid at the Luxor

The Bellagio Watershow (seen from the Eiffel Tower)

We made many new friends – Rod, Chris, Brett O., Tiffany and Brett’s family - in addition to everyone we met in Vegas being massively friendly and wanting to spend time talking with us about where we were from and what we had done while in Vegas. Everyone thought we were newlyweds, which I think is a great compliment and a nice testament to how happy we are together!

I finally got to fire an AK-47 (just one of those things I have always wanted to do) when we visited the famous Las Vegas Gun Store and its indoor range (recommended to me by a friend). I got many approving glances from the staff as I selected Osama bin Laden as my target. It didn’t take long as I only had 90 rounds and being fully automatic (even with controlled bursts) poor old Osama was finished within seconds.


The day of the wedding Beatrice and I spent the morning at the Mirage Spa having our hair and makeup done before getting dressed and ready for the ceremony. The wedding was beautiful and everything went perfectly! Duncan and I were most honoured to be included in Brett and Beatrice’s day as they became husband and wife. I will post some pictures of the wedding soon but for now you can see some on Brett’s blog.

Our visit to the Grand Canyon also needs to be a post all to itself – it’s beyond amazing, it transcends description – its sheer size is humbling – and its beauty intense, unlike anything I have ever seen. We flew from Vegas into Arizona to the Grand Canyon National Park (we also flew over the Hoover Dam). Before embarking on a bus tour through the park we took a helicopter over the width of the Grand Canyon, which was an excellent way to garner an appreciation for it’s enormity and to see all of the different colours of the mesozoic rock formations and the mighty Colorado River. We had three hours or so to hike around in the park, but I can’t do the experience justice here just right now, so I will post more later.

A view of the Grand Canyon

I must admit I am tired. We barely slept in Vegas – everything is 24 hours and there is so much to do, so much we wanted to get done – that it was hard to justify sleeping. We really did have an awesome time, and despite a few minor disappointments (we didn’t have time for the roller coaster for example) we have no regrets, we fulfilled our most hedonistic desires, we made many good memories together, we didn't run out of cash, and we are already planning our next trip out to Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas!

Off to Las Vegas!

See you later!

Viva Las Vegas!

I am getting excited!

We are not at War...

We are Rebuilding Afghanistan.

I have read a few of my fellow bloggers recently who have said we are "at war." Canada is not at war. (At war with whom?) I wish to dispel this myth because I believe that it takes away from the good work we are doing in Afghanistan and around the world.


Taken directly from the websites of both Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defence (Yes I know it is lazy but I am tired):

• Canada is making important diplomatic, defence and development contributions to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
• Canada is in Afghanistan today at the invitation of the Afghan government.
• Canada is in Afghanistan to defend our national interests; ensure Canadian leadership in world affairs; and help Afghanistan rebuild.
• Canada's work will build on a "whole-of-government approach." This includes the deployment of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), followed by subsequent Canadian military deployments.
• Task Force Afghanistan’s mission is to improve the security situation in southern Afghanistan, and play a key role in the transition from the United States (US)-led multinational coalition (known as Operation ENDURING FREEDOM) to NATO leadership (scheduled for the summer of 2006).
• Canada’s renewed military commitment in Afghanistan builds on the success of our peace-support operations to strengthen the security situation.

I have a New Hobby

I am a Listen Bird Hunter. Stand by for new blog.

More on this later, as I am very tired!

Attitudes DO Speak Louder Than Words

A letter was read aloud to the House on Tuesday - a letter written by Lincoln Dinning, father of Cpl. Matthew Dinning, to the Prime Minister.

Mr. Dinning was hurt by Stephen Harper's decision not to lower the flag on the Peace Tower for Pte. Robert Costall when he was killed on March 29th, and he urged the Prime Minister to reconsider his decision.

"I would suggest to you that there is no more important VIP than a Canadian soldier who gave his life in the service of his country. Please correct this wrong and show that actions speak louder than words and lower the flag next time a Canadian soldier is killed."

Mr. Dinning wrote this letter just a couple of weeks before Cpl. Matthew Dinning was killed in Afghanistan. Who could have known he would be writing this letter for his own son?

Under military policy flags are flown at half mast at a fallen soldier's active post, their home unit/base and at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. In addition, all army units (dependant on the Soldier's branch of service) will fly their flags at half mast until the completion of the soldier's funeral.

Canadian Flags are currently being flown at half mast at the soldiers' home bases, at DND HQ, at other bases, at Canada Post Offices in Edmonton, at Toronto City Hall, at Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial buildings and all across Canada as private business owners and citizens seek to honour the fallen as heroes and to recognize their contributions.

The Prime Minister has directed that the Flag on the Peace Tower and the Flag at our Embassy in Washington not be lowered as they have been in the past. I will join my voice with Lincoln Dinning's in asking our Prime Minister to reconsider his decision in this matter.

It's the LEAST We Can Do

"These men were working to bring security, democracy, self-sufficiency and prosperity to the Afghan people and to protect Canadians' national and collective security. We will not forget their selfless contribution to Canada."
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper

But he won't lower the flag on the Peace Tower for them.

Obviously this angers me.

The excuse is that Paul Martin’s Liberals "broke with tradition" and decided to lower the flags on Parliament Hill when our soldiers died during the course of duty. Our Prime Minister now feels it is better NOT to lower the flag on the Peace Tower.

Argue it how you will, but it’s not a "return to a tradition". The decision to fly our flag at half mast is governed only by the Flag Etiquette directives from Canadian Heritage, where it stipulates:

"The flag on the Peace Tower of the Parliament Building at Ottawa is flown at half-mast: on the death of a Lieutenant Governor; on the death of a Canadian Privy Councillor, a Senator, or a Member of the House of Commons; on the death of a person whom it is desired to honour.

On the death of a person whom it is desired to honour.

The flags at the Department of National Defence and other Federal Buildings will fly at half mast.

Why does our Prime Minister not desire to honour them?

Close to Home

I hate waking up to the voice on the radio when the news is about more of our soldier’s killed in Afghanistan. I always hold my breath while they list the names of the fallen - waiting to see if I know any of them. This time I didn’t. But it doesn’t matter if I knew them personally or not, their lives and their sacrifice mean something to me. They are Canadians.

Corporal Matthew Dinning
(Richmond Hill, Ont, stationed in Petawawa)

Bombardier Myles Mansell
(Victoria, BC, stationed in Victoria)

Lieutenant William Turner
(Toronto, Ont, stationed in Edmonton)

Corporal Randy Payne
(Lahr, West Germany, stationed in Wainwright)

I'm someone's blog of the week!

Well, not just anybody's Blog of the Week - I'm Daveberta's Blog of the Week. Thanks David, I'm going to celebrate (I suppose blogging would be a good start, eh? My apologies).

Check out the distinguished Daveberta Blog of the Week Alumni here.

Like a True Nature's Child

"Who can say where the road goes, where the day flows, only time..."
- Enya

Beautiful mornings like this often leave me wondering why the fates choose me over my brother to live and enjoy the gifts of the daily world. I am not in anyway very special or particularly more deserving than he was, yet I am the one who was left to smile when the sun hits my face. Some days it seems very unfair indeed, and there is both a guilt and a sense of duty associated with it.

I realize that lately I have been keeping my blog thoughts to myself – for many reasons: they may be too politically sensitive; too personal; too controversial; too boring, or perhaps I’ve just been too busy to blog. Truth be told all sorts of things are distracting me right now: PC Leadership Politics (rumours of at least two private citizens about to announce their bids for the leadership); Constituency Politics (My AGM is tomorrow and Mark Norris cancelled at the very last minute – but not before we spent 500.00 to advertise it); Our upcoming trip to Las Vegas (and Brett and Beatrice’s wedding); PLAYOFF HOCKEY (Go Flames Go!); finishing up university projects; kids medical problems (Wesley was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter`s Disease); and, among other mundane things, my dear Mother’s stubbornness (If you’re reading this Mom, know I mean that with utmost love).

Like Duncan said, at times life moves past the speed of Blog. Lately it is safe to say life has been moving pretty fast. Too fast perhaps? Not as long as I can manage it all - and there's always time for Plan B!

"When you're flying by the seat of your pants, nothing sounds more official than a Plan B."
-Narrator, Dukes of Hazzard (2005)

Flirting with Armageddon

Whose idea was it to have three major religions that don't agree or like each other (actually that should read 'hate each other with a passion') in the same unstable geographical region?

Princess Preston

An exceprt from the Princess Bride is floating around my head today:

Grandpa [narrating]: Nothing gave Buttercup as much pleasure as ordering Westley around.
Buttercup: Farm boy, polish my horse's saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning.
Westley: As you wish.

It's been a couple of weeks now since Mr. Manning announced he was musing a take over of a poltical party he isn't even a member of. He stated if people wanted him to do this that they should prove to him that the support was there before he decided - perhaps a smart move, but one that has had people falling all over themselves to convince him, but apparently to no avail.

He was rumoured to be announcing his decision today - but it has passed quietly without a Throne Speech to appease the eagerly waiting masses.

I mean how much does he want people to beg? How much are we supposed to stomach while he sits up high on his pretend throne waiting for us mere peasants to prostrate ourselves repeatedly at his holy feet?

Enough already. You either want it or not, make up your mind. My Party deserves more than this. Hell, Albertan's deserve more than this.

PENNY BROWN IS NOT MISSING

Today I received (for about the 80 millionth time) the "Penny Brown" email, from someone who has sent it to me before. This email has been circulating continuously since September 2001 and must be the longest living "missing child" hoax around. Hasn’t anyone noticed that Penny is perpetually 9 years old and has been "missing for two weeks" for about five years now?

With its origins in Calgary, Alberta (circa 2001), this hoax has evolved as people pass it along – different variants and spins have localized in Texas, Australia, Ohio, Singapore and California – and in 2003 some schmuck had the wherewithal to add the term "Amber Alert" to the subject line.

Credible missing child reports supply details like a full name and birthdate, the date and place that a child has gone missing, a description of the child and the clothes they were wearing when they were last seen, and height/weight, for example. They most certainly will contain contact information for local police forces who are involved in the search.

I hate all kinds of chain letters but ones about missing (or dying) children are definitely among the worst.

A quick internet search reveals that Penny Brown is not missing, nor is she the subject of an Amber Alert. Actually we don’t even know if Penny Brown is a real person!

If you receive this email DO NOT FORWARD IT. Break the chain. By using the "Reply All" function you can let everyone know that this is a hoax and ask them NOT to forward it on as well. To quote Bryant Harper at Code Amber, they have "enough to do looking for children that are really missing."

Witness the Birth of a Nation

Private William Johnstone Milne, of the 16th Battalion Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canadian Expeditionary Force) was awarded the Victoria Cross (posthumously) for gallantry during the Battle of Vimy Ridge many years ago. Pte Milne was only 24 years old when he was killed on that fateful Easter Monday, April 9th, 1917.

The whereabouts of his grave still remain unknown.

He was born on Dec 21st 1892 far away from here, in Cambusnethan (Lanarkshire) Scotland. He moved with his family when they emigrated to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan - where he would ultimately enlist and start the journey that ensured for him a place in my heart.

Pte Milne’s VC Citation describes his last moments as thus: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On approaching the first objective, Pte. Milne observed an enemy machine gun firing on our advancing troops. Crawling on hands and knees, he succeeded in reaching the gun, killing the crew with bombs, and capturing the gun. On the line re-forming, he again located a machine gun in the support line, and stalking this second gun as he had done the first, he succeeded in putting the crew out of action and capturing the gun. His wonderful bravery and resource on these two occasions undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Pte. Milne was killed shortly after capturing the second gun."

Among others, my unit proudly carries on our regimental colours the battle honour 'Vimy, 1917' and my thoughts (through out the years) have often come to rest with Pte Milne in particular – almost as if he were known to us; as a hero, a mentor, a friend, a brother and a comrade – we felt his spirit with us as we all pondered at some time or another what we would do if the time ever came to learn what we were made of. And we knew in our hearts that we would do the same, for as long as we were able, for as long as we were still aware of our brothers following us, for as long as love for Canada still lived in our hearts.

Because he had done so first.

It’s a courage I pray no one has ever to muster again, but one that I know with a great deal of conviction resides within the core spirit of our nation, ready to be called upon.

"It was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade. I thought then ... that in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation."
- Brigadier General Alexander Ross
on watching the attack on Vimy

Under Seige ...

There are currently more Edmonton Police Officers in my neighbourhood than I suspected actually were on duty in the whole of Edmonton at this time. I counted around 12 patrol cars (with officers in them), 1 helicopter, officers in pairs walking around with dogs, and a random patrolling ambulance (and even the WEM Security officers are out walking around).

The police have set up a containment net and clearly something has gone very wrong in the short time I have been away (I just left for coffee and politics). But dogs + roaving ambulance - assault weapons = looking for a victim (imho).

I am home alone tonight; I already checked in with the homes my kids are staying at (also in neighbourhood) and everyone is fine and the doors are locked. So now the rest of the evening seems to be left for my entertainment or curiousity - with my background I can't resist. I'll let you know if I ever find out what's happened.

UPDATE: Took a quick walk over to Mac's, the guy didn't know anything. I can say that the activity is centred around Erin Place (the complex my son is sleeping over at tonight) and I up the ambulance total to two and they are removing a vehicle with a tow truck, which is odd. Police activity is starting to calm down now...

UPDATE TWO: Everyone seems to be gone now - except for the guy who "strolls" around the block once every 10 minutes holding a lunch kit. I'll sleep better tonight knowing he's still around...

You know what's best about blogging?

I don't have to blog if I don't want to!

And according to Mr. Kinsella, all I have to do to get more traffic is thus:

PAMELA ANDERSON'S BREASTS

We shall see how many people that snares :-)

It's a Quote kind of day...

"Hancock is smart, dedicated and is one of the most knowledgeable politicians in the legislature -- as government house leader he was involved in every piece of legislation that's gone through the assembly."
- Graham Thomson, The Edmonton Journal

"I am passionate about what I do, I enjoy it ... however, we move on and there's another big challenge ahead and I'll be equally passionate or even more passionate about that. I've been ready for the race for a long time ... all that held me back was the appropriateness. In my view, it was not appropriate to campaign with a new vision for where the province should go when we're still working on the current (government's) vision. Those circumstances have now changed."
– Dave Hancock via/for James Baxter, the Edmonton Journal

Interesting Messaging Strategy...

"I don't really see anybody in the government ranks that could step in to fill the position [of Advanced Education Minister] who would be any better than Dave Hancock. In fact I don't think I see anybody over there who would be as good in the job as I think he's been."
- Dave Taylor
Liberal Advanced Education Critic

Curious.

Strong, United and Focused

Duncan with his new Minister

Ty Lund (Rocky Mountain House) Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation

Gary Mar (Calgary-Mackay) Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

Denis Herard (Calgary-Egmont) Minister of Advanced Education

Denis Ducharme (Bonnyville-Cold Lake) Minister of Community Development

George VanderBurg (Whitecourt-Ste. Anne) Minister of Government Services

Gene Zwozdesky (Edmonton-Mill Creek) is Government House Leader

Mel Knight (Grande Prairie Smoky) is Party Whip

Dave Hancock to begin Campaigning...

Advanced Education Minister Dave Hancock has resigned his cabinet position and as Government House Leader to allow him to focus on his campaign to be Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta.

It's a sad day for students' - Hancock has been an amazing Advanced Education Minister and had some great plans still for the portfolio - but he is also passionate about seeking the leadership and it's time for more Albertans to get to know him better.

Next up - Cabinet Shuffle.

Business As Usual, for now.

Premier Ralph Klein outlined today in his press conference his decision to retire earlier than he had originally planned, due to the results of the Leadership Review vote at the AGM.

The Premier said that he was touched by the tremendous show of support from cacaus and from Albertans (of whom more than 800 had written to him expressing their support) and that he will stay to see his priorites for this session through to completion.

Premier Klein has decided that in Septemeber he will submit a letter to the party urging they organize and convene a Party Leadership Contest which he suspects will take place in October and November (but that timeline will be up to the Party). As soon as the successor is chosen he will then resign as Leader and as Premier.

Premier Klein said he was disappointed with the results of the vote but refused to point fingers or place any blame, saying that was not in the best interests of the Party, the government or Alberta.

He outlined his priorites as such:

• Health Care Reform


• Cancer Legacy Fund


• Intergrated Energy Policy (making sure Alberta remains an energy leader)


• Better relations with the new federal government (especially in areas of senate reform)


• Leaving Alberta in better shape that it was when he started

The Premier said the thing he will miss the most is meeting Albertans. "The people of Alberta are why I entered politics, and the reason I stay" he said in the press conference today.

We are going to miss him too.

Sometimes "Customer Service" goes too far!

No, really. I came back to my hotel room Saturday morning and this is how I found my bathroom...


The maid had arranged neatly all of our things (there were three of us staying in the room) together on top of two outlayed face cloths. It kind of freaked me out - I've never had this happen before at any hotel I have stayed at - and I couldn't help but think that the Maid had likely touched my toothbrush AFTER she cleaned the toilet... When I casually mentioned it to the woman at the front desk when I was checking out the next day she said they do that as a service for all of their guests.

Interesting. I wonder what focus group came up with the need or desire to have thier toiletries moved into some weird (yet ordered) formation.

Oh and more AGM/Calgary pics on Flickr now.

My Fame, apparently served with Sour Grapes...

Maybe it’s a small order of sour grapes, but it’s apparent nonetheless. Edmonton Journal Blogger Johnsrude writes:

"The weekend Conservative convention in Calgary took citizen journalism to new heights. At least three delegates blogged live from the convention floor, offering inside perspectives unavailable in the traditional media. The blog Summer Daydreams (walks_like_summerrain.blogspot.com) had the results of Friday night’s leadership vote at 11:52 p.m., eleven minutes before they were officially released.

We (that is, edmontonjournal.com) had the results and a story on our web page around 12:15 a.m. But our reporters at the convention, James Baxter and Kelly Cryderman, had heard rumours of Klein’s marginal 55.4 per cent showing long before midnight. Newspapers can’t go with rumours. Bloggers can. This is just another way blogging is changing the face of journalism."

While I will humbly resist the urge to point out that I wasn’t blogging “a rumour” (this was, after all, OUR convention) I will take issue somewhat with the tantrum aspects of “we knew it first but couldn’t say.”

Shudder to think that everything is a rumour until it is actually “officially released” to the media - as if they can be our only source of verifiable information. If “citizen journalism” really has anything to offer people it is a source of information and a perspective of issues as we see it happen and unfold - without someone else’s spin or motivations. The traditional media, despite all aspects of journalistic integrity, is not without its own biases – and everything you read (regardless of its source) should be weighed with a healthy amount of scepticism.

As my friend Quynn said this morning, with any new medium there’s always a period of adjustment and for now some see blogs in competition with the mainstream media. As well they should. I applaud the journalists who have made a leap into the blogosphere to participate in this new realm of information sharing. I just can’t help but wonder if they have missed the point.

Live Blogging: Saturday Night

A quiet moment caught admist the fervent activity...

Well this has been a very interesting day indeed. I enjoyed Preston Manning's speech at lunch time and it was cool to meet him afterwards - he signed my copy of THINK BIG and it was captured on TV so if you saw it that was me - sadly my pictures didn't really turn out so I am including this little one here and thats it.


I didn't get a chance yesterday to blog about seeing an old friend - one of my favourite people in the world came all the way from Washington DC to cast his vote - Minister Councellor Murray Smith. So good to see Murray again. Can't wait to go visit him (was planning for July... but I have a feeling my time just became premium).

As for tonight - it is the night of Hospitality. Leadership Hospitality Suites galore... and considering what happened last night it will be interesting to see what the mood is. Our Hospitality Suite is at the Saltlik (8th Ave) starting at 10:00pm after the festivities. Click on the image for a larger invite.

Oh, and tomorrow's Q&A session has been cancelled.

Live Blogging Day Two: Moving On...

I am sitting here blogging from behind the bank of free computers at the Convention, and I must say that it is interesting to watch the different pages - blogs mostly - that people are visiting. It is especially interesting to sit and watch them read through mine and see their reactions.

Coming into this AGM I predicted that we would all feel differently about our party when it was over, in one way or another, and now this has become apparent. We all have interesting paths ahead of us and as we draw lines and pick sides I hope we can remember one simple truth - we are all on the same side. When the upcoming Leadership Race is settled we all have to unite strongly behind our leader and remember that we are all friends.

Breakfast Thoughts

The people who I have met so far that voted Yes seem pretty pleased with themselves. Smug even. But no one so far has a good reason for voting the way they did - not that I would presume to dictate how someone uses their democratic vote, but I would like to hear a good reason from someone before I leave the convention.

Our Premier told the voting public that he would leave in three and three quarter years AND THEY STILL VOTED FOR HIM. Actually, despite it all we won a majority government - a clear mandate from the people of Alberta. Then he was honest with everyone and said he was retiring and (whether or not we agree with the date) AND a LEADERSHIP RACE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

Now - well who knows? The headlines in the paper this morning are NOT a good start to our new era. What of all the renewal efforts that we have struggled so hard to obtain? Now, we are facing a big unknown. Let's hope we can stay united as a party and that we can still find some validity in our Leadership Race and selection - the LAST thing we need now is to head straight into a Jim Dinning Coronation.

Live Blogging Day Two: The Morning After.

"Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs."
- Josef Stalin

Vote results are in...

It's 55%.

Obviously the speech wasn't good enough. But then, a vote like this shouldn't be based on a speech - it should be based on things like winning a majority government with a four year mandate or bringing down a great budget or having a 70% approval rating with Albertans. What will these Albertans think of us now?

This saddens me greatly, and to be honest I don't know what these people were thinking. I predict every single one of them will regret voting yes at some point of time in the next few months.

Live Blogging: the PC Convention Begins

Good Speech, typical stuff. I was touched by the passion with which he spoke about his caucus, and when he spoke about Clint Dunfords bravery in his fight with Cancer he cried.

Now we have to wait to see if it was good enough.

We're on Ralph's Team!

We are heading off to Calgary for the AGM in a couple of minutes... it promises to be full of drama at the very least, but at it's best a whole lot of good fun - it's going to be great to see everyone again (judging from the emails I am getting, everyone I know will be there) and the parties are going to be a blast. Make sure to look for me to get your invites to our Hospitlaity Suites!

For now I am going to leave you with the sentiments of my friend Quynn - you can read his whole post here: I'm on Ralphs' Team.

"What I will say is this: In 1993, the PC Party should have gone the way of the Socreds, the UFA and the provincial Liberals and then swiftly faded from the Alberta political scene. That didn’t happen because (just) enough people in the 1993 election trusted Ralph to do what he said he was going to do and then backed him when he kept his word, even when doing so confounded the ‘experts’. There isn’t a PC MLA elected in 1993 (including Dr. Oberg) who doesn’t owe their subsequent career to Ralph and not a person who worked in that 1993 campaign that doesn’t know the truth of the role he played. For that reason alone, Ralph Klein deserves our Party's ringing endorsement tonight. But as Josef Stalin said, "Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs."

It's a Party Thing

There are many indications that the Leadership Review vote will not go in the Premier's favour tomorrow. I appreciate where all of these particulars come from and I understand well the opinions and the anger. I haven't been surprised by many - I traverse the same political landscape as everyone else and I see it changing before my eyes too.

But I am concerned. We have a great Premier, a strong party and an awesome record - let us not throw it away. I reject the notion that the vote tomorrow is a vote for a leadership race and not a slight against Ralph Klein. Yes, I agree that our party needs to get on with it's business and part of that is selecting a new leader and yes I don't believe that we can wait too long to do that. But that's an issue that needs to be separate from the Leadership Review vote.

I know that whatever happens tomorrow night with the outcome of the vote that each vote cast will be made with good intentions. I hope each of us thinks carefully about that as it has been said many times that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Anyway, I know how I am going to vote.

I support my Premier. I will vote No for a Leadership Review.

Dave Hancock - Leadership Candidate

The Hon. Dave Hancock, Minister of Advanced Education, said on Rutherford this morning that he is indeed a candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. Minister Hancock said that he has alot of important work to finish in Advanced Education, which evidenced by the budget is the number one priority for our government. As such, Minister Hancock will continue to focus on doing the best job he can as Minister of Advanced Education for as long as the Premier deems it appropriate, and then he will resign his cabinet position and begin his Leadership Campaign.

He's still In...

Dr. Lyle Oberg reaffirms today that he will continue his quest for the Leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. Dr. Oberg continues his efforts to redefine the March 31st Leadership Review Vote, saying that he "sees the upcoming vote to start the leadership race as a vote for Alberta, not a vote against Ralph Klein" and that "the delegates will be deciding upon the timing of the leadership race with their votes this weekend."

While Dr. Oberg appears to be enjoying support among his followers it still remains to be seen if his gambles will pay off with the rest of the Party.

It is interesting that after all of the media coverage Dr. Oberg got on the weekend that no one covered his Press Conference. In actual fact they recapped what the Hon. Minister Hancock said this morning on Rutherford about his Leadership Bid INSTEAD of airing any of Dr. Obergs' statement.

Michael, Where Are You?

Age Enhanced Picture of an Adult Michael Dunahee

I remember well the day 4 year old Michael Dunahee vanished from a Victoria playground outside his home, with his parents and friends near by. I helped look for little Michael Dunahee (we all did) and thats something I'll never forget - the complete and desperate hope that you will find him haunted by the same fear that you will - or worse, that you never will.

Age Enhanced Photo of Michael at 17

No one knows what happened that day, it all happened so fast and there were no clues to help. No one has ever stopped looking - I think we have all held out hope these 15 years that he is alive somewhere, perhaps living with a different name and some fuzzy childhood memories. Now the day has finally come - Michael Dunahee is 19 years old, an adult.

Age Enhanced Photo of Michael Dunahee at 11 years

Maybe he will see the age enhanced pictures of himself and recognize himself. Perhaps he will start to remember small parts of a lost childhood. Maybe someone else will recognize his features or maybe the $100,000.00 reward will now mean something to someone who was previously afraid to speak up...

Michael Dunahee at four years old

If you think that you might recognize this person PLEASE contact your local police authorities, even if you aren't sure... Because when something like this happens, you never stop looking.

All's Qiuet on the Western Front

It's like the calm before the storm...

Blogging Oberg's Statement

Surpringsly Obergs' interview was very short and sounded like a Leadership Campaign Speech. Oberg did take the chance to suggest that the Leadership Review Vote was not a vote for or against the Premier as he has already said he is leaving. "The vote at the AGM is a vote for when the leadership race should occur" said Oberg who also added that a long drawn out Leadership Campaign wouldn't benefit our party.

Oberg will hold press conference next week after taking the weekend to consider all the options.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

KLEIN DIDN'T SKIP OUT
I saw this morning that the papers were reporting that Premier Klein "skipped out on question period and the caucus decision" to return to his home in Calgary. Actually the Premier was attending "Wine, Dine and Klein" a fundraising event for the University of Calgary Campus Conservative Association and Calgary Varsity. People paid a 125.00 a ticket and it's been scheduled for months, long before the former Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (or any of us) could have even suspected what might be coming.

DR.OBERG SPEAKS AT 2:00 TODAY
I suspect these events have effectively destroyed Dr. Oberg's bid for the Leadership of our party, however I don't think we have heard the end of this - Dr. Oberg, who has been in politics a very long time and is very ambitious will not likely go quietly into the sunset. Expect some negotiations between Alliance Leader Paul Hinman and Dr. Oberg which might see the Alliance with two members asking for Party status. The implications of this are endless.

WHAT WOULD STALIN DO?
Alberta NDP "Leader" Brian Mason said "I think it's the initiation of a reign of terror in the Progressive Conservative Party. I think Josef Stalin would never dirty his hands either. He'd leave it to the party members to do it. That
doesn't make it right." How would he even know what Josef Stalin would do? Brain Mason is a dork. As Dave says, "if Klein were Stalin, Mason wouldn't be around anymore."

Thought of the Day

"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going."
- Professor Irwin Corey

The latest in a Series of Unfortunate Events...

Dr. Lyle Oberg has lost his portfolio and has been suspended indefinitely from Caucus.

The announcement is the result of an emergency Caucus meeting (that was voluntarily not attended by the other Leadership Hopefuls) and comes on the heels of some comments made about the Premier - most notably "If I were the Premier, I wouldn't want me sitting as a backbencher ... I know where all the skeletons are"

Well now Dr. Oberg will be sitting somewhere near Paul Hinman and the NDP...

As more details come out it seems that Dr. Oberg also said that "he was prepared to form an official opposition to the Klein government with the support of right-wing colleagues."

Wow.

Good Media

"Hancock put the boots to a suggestion he wouldn't give up his portfolio for an 18-month leadership battle he couldn't win. Because Hancock insists he can win. "I'm the best organizer I know," he said. So the advanced education minister will submit his resignation sometime before the June 1 deadline and jump into the leadership fray. Good for him. The Alberta Tories need a fight, not a coronation."

Not all Media is Good Media

"If I were the premier, I wouldn't want me sitting as a backbencher ... I know where all the skeletons are."
- Hon. Dr. Lyle Oberg

"... there is a leadership vote coming up, and a week ago I was ready to come up here and say that you should support Ralph. Today I am going to stand here and say you must vote with your conscience. I will not stand here and say you must support Ralph."
- Hon. Dr. Lyle Oberg

Budget Breakfast 2006

We got up VERY early to go to the Annual Budget Breakfast. I really like our Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Shirley McClellan and I enjoy her wit and the way she manages all of the shots the Opposition throw at her. If you want to know what I mean check out the Question Period from today.

We had the pleasure of eating this morning with Mr. Ed Stelmach and his campaign manager, John Baldry. The conversation, and getting to see everyone, made getting up so early this morning (I was very tired) worth it. I can't wait for the AGM... if this kind of "stuff" doesn't get your blood moving then you're either not paying attention or not very political!

Strengthening Today, Securing Tomorrow

I thought the budget was a good, strong budget - and I'm not just saying that because I am a conservative. Of course I have heard criticisms from "some people" but I figure if the best they can come up with to complain about is that there is "increased funding to the horse racing industry" (which is actually rent for the VLT's on their premises and the VLT's themselves generate more revenue then the rent that is paid) then it must be a good budget!!!

How could anyone be upset with this budget? (*coff* Brian Mason *coff*) The original Globe and Mail online headline for the Budget was something like "Alberta Throws Money at Everything and Still has a 4 Billion Dollar Surplus."

I was impressed by a few noteworthy aspects of this budget - the first being the increased spending to Post Secondary Education (which is an issue of mine) - $2.2 billion budget for Advanced Education; a 19 percent increase over last year; $87 million in ongoing funding entrenched in the business plan to cover tuition increases for students every year; $45 million in funding from the Access to the Future Fund; capital support for facilities; funds for enrollment growth and increasing apprenticeship programs; increase in funding for scholarships, bursaries and grants (including rural incentive bursaries); and (among other things) a 6 percent increase in base operating grants.

The other thing I was happy to see was the creation of the Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund. I'd say that Cancer is another one of my issues, but really it is something that has touched most of us in one way or another. I recently read a statistic that said that of my generation, sixty percent will be diagnosed with Cancer atleast once in our lifetime. Obviously the impact of Cancer on our society is rising and I don't see why, here in Alberta with a strongly funded research and PSE system, that we can't find the cure for Cancer.

I think the strength of our economy here in Alberta is apparent in this budget - our successes, savings and funded capital projects are unmatched by anywhere else in this country - and I am pleased to see so much going into key savings funds and endowments (which I think is really a key to our future success). I am proud to be an Albertan. We really do live in the best (maybe not the prettiest, but the best) province in Canada!


Duncan and I really enjoyed the Hospitality of the Hon. Minister Dave Hancock at his reception following the Budget Speech. We were very pleased to be invited and Government House is a beautiful building with many neat places to explore (and photograph). Minister Hancock's speech was amazing - he spoke with a passion that fuelled my pride in Alberta even more.

More Government House pictures on Flickr.

Those who Live in Glass Houses

Is it so hard to take some responsibility?

Interim federal Liberal Leader Bill Graham seems to blame the all other parties for the recent Liberal demise in the last election. "We're here because they chose to call an election," Graham said, referring to when the other three Canadian political parties cast the non-confidence vote that put an end to the embarrassment that was our last Parliament and propelling Canada into a federal election.

The results of that election left the Liberal Party with only 103 seats, something they really have no one to blame but themselves. Shortly afterwards David Emerson’s move reduced that number by one and I personally won’t be surprised if we see more conservative oriented Liberals cross the floor in the next few months.

Graham suggests the Liberal Opposition may "vote against the government" when the House votes to accept the Throne Speech on April 4th if they don't like what it contains. I doubt they have seriously thought through the optics of such a threat.

AUSU - A Travesty of Democracy

The Athabasca University Students' Union election results are in, if you can call it an "election."

AUSU has about 28,898 student members BUT ONLY 105 VOTED IN THIS ELECTION. That's less that 1% (actually 0.36%) voter turnout, or one in every 275 people.

All AU students are required to pay SU membership dues based on the number of courses that they take. The problem is that a vast majority of AU students take only one or two courses but their SU elections are held once every two years making it impossible for most students to vote for the council that will govern them.

In addition to this, students who run for AUSU Council do not run on platforms that are position based like in other Alberta students' unions. After the Council has been elected they decide AMONG THEMSELVES who should be the President and fill the other two VP positions for the upcoming two year term. No AUSU student member has any ability to affect this decision as their Council meetings (which are done by teleconference) are not accessible to AUSU members or the public.

The top two student leaders "elected" received ONLY 63 VOTES EACH. Either of these two people, or any one of the other council members (whose vote totals range from a pathetic 63 to 46) could be chosen to be the next AUSU President.

AUSU execs are paid like other Alberta students' unions but the time commitment for the positions are minimal in comparison. In 2004/05 the President of AUSU received $1,500 per month, while the other execs got $1000.00 monthly and each non-exec council member recieved about $400.00 monthly. It is worth noting here that while their new exec positions haven't been announced (this will happen on Thursday), all of the former execs were "re-elected."

To top it all off the AUSU student member gets close to nothing for their mandatory dues. The last Executive Council even ended AUSU's membership in CAUS, effectively reducing provincial representation for their students in the middle of the biggest changes the Albertan PSE system has ever seen.

What kind of Mandate can this executive claim to have from the students?

Dinner with Dinning

Serving dinner to 34 people can seem like an insane thing to do but it is something that our constituency enjoys - breaking bread with our guests. Bob Maskell cooks up the best spaghetti in the western hemisphere and people line up to get it. But the real magic is what happens when everyone sits down to eat.

Provincially our Party's success has been in the strength of our Constituency Associations. The key to that strength is our people. Generations of people who form a unique type of community; people that influence policy from a grassroots level up through the party structure; a sphere of influence that radiates out into the larger community of dedicated individuals who focus their attention on making our Party better (and getting our candidates elected of course).

Jim Dinning said something tonight that resonated well with me - he said that his focus wasn't on being the Premier, it was on becoming the Leader of our Party (ackowledging he can't be Premier unless he attains Party Leadership). He elaborated on his vision for the future of our Party across Alberta. This is not something we have been hearing from the other Leadership Candidates and I realized that this is an element we have been missing from our current state of affairs. We have to remember the Party in all of this.

Hello? Grand Central Station...

I thought my phone had been busy ever since the Premier's announcement on Wednesday - but today is has been ringing constantly - with sometimes the next call coming in even before I am done with the current one! What's all the fuss today, you ask? It's mostly due to the Dinner with Mr Dinning that I am hosting tonight. Wish me luck - it's just one thing fuelling my anxiety today, but it's going to be great when it's done!

I am sure the phone will continue to ring a fair amount between now and the PC AGM but I think that after tonight I won't lament the lack of it's constant bellowing!

Apparently not Conservative Enough

The Blogging Tories won't include me in their blogroll.

"Allie,

we have a strict policy on multiple Canadian partisan blogrolls. If you'd like to be included on the Blogging Tories blogroll, we don't accept blogs that also have the green bloggers / progressive bloggers / blogging dipper blogrolls on their blogs. We add conservative blogs. If your blog is indeed conservative please consider dropping the other blogrolls."

Well I am NOT about to have anyone dictate to me about what content I post or what links I include on MY blog and I am certainly NOT going to justify why I do something to anyone.

When I was at the Legislature in session on Thursday the Speaker was announcing an award that was being given to a boy in grade six. He quoted the boy (who's family had come here from overseas just before he was born) as saying "one of the great things about democracy in this province is that everyone can aspire to be the Prime Minister of this country." Everyone. And it's true. It's not like that everywhere.

So... I don't want to be in their club anymore. Watch out everyone, it's the Conservative Police.

Politics is not a Spectator Sport

So... I obviously have been noticeably quiet these past few days - I can't apologize for that as it has been regretably intentional. There are rumours galore and I have been amazed at how fast news has been travelling this past week - but what has truly surprised me is how angry everyone is.

Anger is the force that motivates the quickest amount of change in politics. It propels people to take action and in some cases can cause them to change their opinions so radically that the entire landscape transforms before your eyes.

It is going to be an interesting couple of weeks - stay tuned!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Now this is the Edmonton winter I am used to... too bad it is the middle of March instead of December (when it would have been cool to have a white Christmas)! It is pretty though - and it might be our last real snow of the year so we might have to go get dressed up and go sledding.

Snowfall Warning in effect...

We are soposed to get 12 - 15 cm of snow in the next 12 hours or so. I love how quiet it is when it snows.

Woman of Vision Luncheon, Edmonton

Today I was honoured to be invited to the Woman of Vision Luncheon here in Edmonton by Ken, who was gracious enough to host an entire table of lovely ladies. The luncheon itself was inspiring - and at times very moving - as the recipients of the awards shared their stories and talked about how they have enjoyed pursuing thier vision while also being successful in their family lives and contributing to thir community, all at the same time.

If you accidently ate the wrong part of a Blow Fish

... and the Doctor told you that you had 24 hours to live, Love Actually would be an awesome way to spend 135 min of it.

A Hansard Moment...

"Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to introduce to you and to members of the Assembly Allie Wojtaszek. Allie Wojtaszek is a student in Edmonton, and she and her husband, Duncan, are very active in student politics and activities. Duncan Wojtaszek is the executive director of the Council of Alberta University Students. I understood that he might be here, but I didn’t see him. If Allie would please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly."

I didn't realize when I woke up this morning and started my day that by the afternoon my curiousity would drive me to Question Period. Given the lateness of arriving (just moments before it started) I did not even remotely expect to be introduced to the House. Imagine my pleasant surprise - however if I had realized I would be standing up for all to see in the Legislature that day I would have worn something much different than my (very casual) bright white Chech hockey jersey with HASEK splashed across the back...

However Duncan (who has been introduced to the House more times than even I can count) had a much better experience that day - if he blogs about it I will provide a link.

For all those asking me, here it is.

Klein wants leadership hopefuls to quit cabinet (quote excerpted from article, use link for full story)
Updated Wed. Mar. 15 2006 7:55 PM ET

Canadian Press

EDMONTON — One of them, Advanced Education Minister David Hancock, said he was surprised by Klein's announcement. Hancock said he needs a few weeks to weigh his options on whether to resign or pull out of the leadership contest.

"I have a difficult decision to make," Hancock said. "Advanced education has been the government's No. 1 priority. There's lots of things that we've launched that I need to do or get going."

"That's a difficult thing to give up for that long a stretch of time and that wasn't what I was anticipating."

Times just got a little more dangerous

Premier announced today that all Minister's wishing to compete for the Leadership of our Party will announce their intentions by June 1st AND resign their Cabinet Positions.

A full 18 months BEFORE the the actual Leadership Race.

"Don’t the Hours Grow Shorter as the Days Go By ..."

"One minute you’re waiting for the sky to fall...
The next you’re dazzled by the beauty of it all "

These lyrics running through my mind... Certainly describes my overall political mood right at this moment, and certainly the provincial political landscape.

Eat, Drink and be Dinning

Duncan, myself and our friend Travis went to see Mr Dinning last night at the Sherlock Holmes Pub downtown. Good times, many good and old friends were there as well - including a surprise visit by Blake! We had a blast - fun times. Here is a picture:



More on Flickr. Boy I look a little drunk in that picture... that might be a fair assesment.

Retirement Party

Ralph Klein will announce his retirement on the first day of our AGM (March 31).

Rumour has it that date will be in October 2007 – not really a surprise - and a date that coincides with the 27th anniversary of his first political win (Mayor of Calgary), his 65th birthday and sees him surpass Lougheed’s service by one year.

Premier Klein currently enjoys the third longest administration in Alberta, with Ernest Manning (1943-1968) at 25 years and Peter Lougheed (1971-1985) at 14 years.

They say retirements are a mixture of sweetness and sorrow. It will be interesting to watch how this plays out over the next year.

I'm only doing this because Daveberta did it first...

Your results:You are Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman 82% Spider-Man 80% Green Lantern 80% Superman 75% The Flash 75% Supergirl 72% Catwoman 70% Iron Man 60% Robin 50% Hulk 50% Batman 30%

You are a beautiful princess with great strength of character.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

Good thing Duncan likes Wonder Woman. She's way better looking then Green Lantern. What kind of Super Hero name is Green Lantern anyways?

The Love of My Life

I married the Eighth Wonder of the World.

He is sweet perfection - I love him for every reason in the world, and for no reason in particular. He is my best friend and with him beside me all dreams are possible.

Know the Game you are Playing

Don't bring a sword to a gunfight

Party like it's 2006 or 1206 or 942 or ...

Does anyone know what time it is?

I read a review in today's Journal of a book called "The Lost Millennium: History's Timetables Under Siege" written by University of Victoria mathematician Florin Diacu (and based on the time theories of Russian Scientist Anatoly Fomenko). The book explores an intellectual puzzle that concerned scientists as far back as Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton (who raised serious questions about our traditional chronology) and contains long mathematical arguments including theories on celestial mechanics, graphs and algebraic formulae.

We've known for centuries that legitimate disputes about our history's timeline exist, especially in the biblical sense (Gregorian monks screwed up the birth year of Jesus). But now it seems our beloved calendar could be off by as much as 800 or 1000 years.

According to Fomenko, the Middle Ages did not last 1,000 years, (a time typically explained away as when human progress ground to a halt) but more like two centuries. He believes the mistake began in the 1500s when our current system of counting the years came into effect. Furthermore, some modern scientists using references to celestial events (like lunar and solar eclipses) in ancient documents now believe that our recorded history really begins about 800 AD/CE. For example - the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (one of the few events in Ancient Greek history that can be given an exact date and therefore anchors Greek Chronology) is dated by Thucydides who mentions three eclipses in the first 18 years of the war (a sequence that scholars had traditionally placed from 431 to 413 BC/BCE). But Fomenko's work shows those eclipses occurred from 1039 to 1057 CE, almost 15 centuries later.

Consider what this could mean.

Ever get that matrixy feeling that time - the concept that drives all of us in one way or another - is completly fabricated and relevant only to the situation at hand?

Given my particular area of study in University, this theory would have a large impact on how I understood certain developments in the human condition. I think I am going to have to get this book.

Domo Arigato Duncan-san

Can there be too much Sake for a birthday girl? I didn't think so either.

So here I am... newly 34 years of age.

Getting old!

Signs That Today is My Birthday

• Woken up with a lovely cup of coffee and a kiss


• I had Eggs Benedict served to me this morning for breakfast (when on a cholesterol free diet my husband does not usually permit cheating)


• Cards and Presents!


• My Mom called


• There is a deposit in my bank account (Thanks Mom) with a description of "BR.2499 HAPPY BIRTHDAY"


• Wonderful emails from friends in my inbox


• Serenaded with "Happy Birthday" at work


• Dinner reservations have been made…

From Here to Kandahar

I love my flag - it fills me with a depth of love reserved only for my country - so it hurts my heart to see it draped across coffins coming home from far away. And I know we will see too many more come home before this is over.

Canadian soldiers know that there are risks involved in serving their country. They accept that any military operation is inherently dangerous and that accidents happen. They serve with pride.

As Canadians we tend to be trusting and we believe in the inherent goodness of people. We believe that in any situation people can be brought to their potential and given the right support and resources they can make their world a better place. We believe individual rights should be protected and not oppressed. We believe that all people should have hope, opportunity and the chance to live life with dignity. We believe in the power of family and community and therefore democracy.

Afghanistan is not an easy place for Canadians to be. So much that we take for granted here in Canada is not within the grasps of the people of Afghanistan. It is our nature to extend what help we can and the work our soldiers are doing over there is a neccessary part of rebuilding a country. We want to do this, but it's our caring that makes us vulnerable.

Further, it's not a safe place to be. We obviously can’t trust these people, even if we want to. We need to be vigilant: don’t take off your helmet; remember your weapon; watch your back and as soon as the kids disappear from the crowd take evasive action as necessary.

But we also know as Canadians that we can’t turn our backs on a people in need. We might not be able to trust that these people are making the best decisions right now but I think we have to believe that there is good in them and that they are deserving of a better life.

For our guys over there, don't let the bad guys get you down. It has been a tough week, but you all know why you are there and you see why it is important. Stay Strong. We believe in you.

Disdain for the Democratic Process?

The media and the opposition parties have blown this "story" out of proportion - and they are enjoying every moment of it.

The Premier didn’t throw the document at the Page. From my understanding he tossed the document over his shoulder which, unfortunately, happened to be also in the general direction of where the Page was still standing. I understand that it brushed her shoulder on its way to the floor.

So let’s be clear, he didn’t throw this document AT her. The Page herself has publicly said that he didn’t throw it at her.

So maybe the real issue might be whether or not the Premier needs to respond to his frustration in a more useful manner (don’t we all) but that doesn’t make for a very interesting news story now does it.

For Those Who Have Given Everything

"Maintiens le Droit"

TOGETHER, we combine effort, commitment, hearts and lives to achieve an ideal shared by every Canadian:

That we can live in a world without fear.
Where the weak are protected
And where all are safe.

Leo, Tony, Brock and Peter knew this.

They chose to stand with us at the front of the line

In that place that marks the difference between right and wrong, between good and evil.

- Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli at the National Memorial Service for four fallen RCMP members

Thank you Constable Anthony Gordon, Constable Lionide Johnston, Constable Brock Myrol, and Constable Peter Schiemann. You shall not be forgotten.

Dear Prime Minister Harper

DO NOT TOUCH RICHARD LATMIER WITH A TEN FOOT POLE.

Please.

The man killed his daughter because she had a disability that thousands of Canadians have (cerebral palsy). Her condition was NOT Fatal or even life threatening. She needed hip surgery to repair her dislocated hip or to replace it. She would never get her surgery. Instead, he killed Tracy while his other children were at church, watching her for the half an hour it took her to die. At first Latimer said that Tracy had "passed away in her sleep...." insisting she be cremated without an autopsy. After the results of the autopsy became available Latimer admitted to killing her and told police he had also considered shooting her in the head before burning her body.

This can never be considered a mercy killing. We can never let a diabled child's murder be less important than the murder of children society feel are more "normal." All vulnerable Canadians need to be protected by the Law.

It is NOT ok to kill your children. It is ok to protect them, to seek the best care possible for them, to help them fulfill whatever their potential may be, to sacrifice all that you have (including your own life) so that they might live well, and to get help yourself if you can't achieve this on your own - but IT IS NOT OK TO KILL YOUR CHILDREN.

Richard Latimer DESERVES to finsh out his entire sentence, if not more. He is a murderer.

For more info read A BREACH OF COMPASSION

Cloudy Sensorium

In addition to being extremely busy I am also sick. I am making a good go of fighting it, but it leaves me feeling tired and well, "woozy" (kind of like being drunk - perhaps due to an inflamed inner ear). It's hard to describe the sensation but when I saw this picture I realized that was exactly how I was feeling!

Just because we have a large surplus...

Doesn't mean we should just spend it.

Why do the Liberals ALWAYS want to spend money? In the last Provincial election, their election promises were all "spend spend spend" - and the totals of all said promises were, imho, unmanageable. Now Taft sees the billions of dollars in surplus projections and he has money signs in his eyes wider than a kid on his way to spend his entire allowance at the candy store. He's yelling that the governemnt doesn't yet have a spending plan for this new surplus amount and that apparently means they've "lost control of the budget process" (even though the budget itself remains entact, this is only the new royalties and profits coming in at higher than expected rates). What he really means is he can't wait to get his hands on it. Why on earth would we want to rush out and spend it?

This money is very important to the future of all Albertans. It's true that it is a lot of money and it is also true that it is an unpredictable amount that is unstable by it's very nature (dependant on oil and gas markets) and to me that demands that our government carefully and seriously consider the long range potential, impacts and all the implications of having (or in the future not having) this amount of money.

We need to take our time to make sure that this money is spent in the right way and that it is saved in the right way, both for the maximum benefit of our current population and for all future Albertans to come.

The Honourable Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta

Premier Ralph Klein with Duncan and Allie Wojtaszek

Premier Ralph Klein answering questions and commenting on our concerns - we talked openly about everything from renovating schools, infrastructure, PSE, Party Renewal, youth involvement, the environment and the Arts to the big one of the evening, Health Care and his vision for how to begin fixing our health care system

Premier Ralph Klein, his dad Phil Klein and Edmonton Meadowlark constituents

Echoes of a past gone but not forgotten

This morning Raven was horsing around with one of her friends in the living room. I was in the kitchen making some tea when the next words I heard Raven say stopped me in my tracks.

"Don't touch me there. You're not my Mother."

I'd forgotten completely, but somewhere from the recesses of my mind came the childhood memory flooding vividly into view. Those were my brother's words, a favourite saying of his he saved for when horsing around with buddies (with a faux offended drawl). I don't know if Raven ever had the chance to hear Chris say that before he died, or if it's a more common saying than I am aware of, but it surprised me to hear his words come out of Raven's mouth in the same manner that he used them.

It was pleasant to be reminded of him this morning (even if it reminds me that I miss him) and it allowed me to experience a memory I might not have ever remembered again or otherwise. It makes me wonder about how many other echoes reside inside of me waiting to be heard.

Milk, Cookies and Post Secondary Education

I didn't actually have any milk or cookies yesterday, but I did have an awesome time. The conference sessions went well, I enjoyed the topics and lunch was served in the LaRonde Revolving Resturant which Duncan and I greatly enjoyed. Here's the view:

A look into the heart of downtown Edmonton

Edmonton River Valley and the glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory

After the conference debriefing seven of us (ah seven, the best number in the world) went out to Whyte Ave for dinner and then, after dinner, to a little dance club called the Funky Buddha. We didn't actually get to dancing because apparently there was just too much to talk about (my voice is a little damaged today). We got home only a few hours ago...

At the Cross Roads

Duncan and I are at the PIA PSE conference in Edmonton, as I blog. Tonight we have listened to Keynote speakers Jeffrey Simpson (the Globe and Mail’s national affairs columnist) and Peter MacMenamin (the Deputy General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union in Ireland). The Conference promises to offer a "unique opportunity for all post-secondary education stakeholders, advocates, and members of the public to develop concrete initiatives and action plans, which will provide a framework to fashion a post-secondary education system that best serves our society."

Despite my life being currently "overfull" (is that a word?) of Politics and Policy issues, and despite the fact that I haven't stopped working for almost two weeks (no long weekend for me - and I work next weekend too!) I am very much looking forward to it! Now - the cash bar reception beckons.

Oh, and believe it or not, my arm hurts.