Liberal Delusions Obvious on their Website

Has anyone else noticed that the photo the Liberal Party uses on their website is actually a photo from the thirty-eighth Parliament with Paul Martin as the Prime Minister? It seems to me that the Liberals are so deluded and desperate to get back into power that they are pretending as though they still are the government.


If you look closely at the picture, you can see that the man standing on the government side is Paul Martin and the individuals seated next to him is Anne McLellan. You can also identify Judy Sgro and Lucienne Robillard to the right of Martin. On the opposition side, it is easy to identify Dean Allison, James Lunney, Art Hanger, Lynne Yelich, and Gerald Keddy.

The Liberals still seem to think they are the government, both in their actions in Parliament as well as on their website. When will they realize that they are the opposition and they are there rightfully so.

UPDATE: Apparently, the Liberals have now since removed this image from their website. It had been one of the rotating photos on their homepage.

Finally, Something For Which to Applaud the Supreme Court

In an 8-1 ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada has overturned an appeal court's decision to reduce a convicted child abuser's sentence from 15 years to nine. Following several of their missteps lately, we finally get to see the Supreme Court doing the right thing.

Thanks to the SCoC, the man who, according to a ctv.ca story, "sexually assaulted his four-year-old daughter and took pornographic pictures of her and a young friend," will no be adequately punished for his heinous and terrible crimes.

Apparently, the dissenting judge argued that the 'original sentence was overly sever in comparison to sentences in similar cases.' I would argue that he is wrong and instead, these other similar cases were underwhelmingly lenient and irresponsible. When an individual does something so wrong as to abuse, physically and mentally harm, and exploit young children, a very harsh sentence is required in order to see justice served.

Unlike their recent decision to enshrine the youth court into the constitution of Canada, which is factually incorrect (seeing as it was a policy decision to create it in 1908, it should continue to exist solely at the privilege of parliament with the right to change or even remove it remaining firmly in the hands of policy makers), this is an example of the SCoC doing the right thing.

Now if only we could see more similar decisions!

David Miller Goes Crazy Once Again - This Time it's about Guns

Toronto Mayor David Miller's plans to introduce a ban on handguns and gun clubs in Toronto is, quite simply, one of the stupidest plans he has had in a long time (and for David Miller, that is saying quite a lot).

Miller advocates rescinding licenses held by two gun clubs, and making it illegal (through zoning restrictions) to "manufacture, assemble, or store" firearms in Toronto. He tries to justify this by saying, "I want a safe city. The truth is, guns are too easily available and if you talk to some kids in some neighbourhoods they tell you they want a gun to protect themselves."

While Miller seems to think that these kids are cowering in fear at the thought of target shooters and gun club members, I suspect they're probably a lot more afraid of street gangs and illegal guns smuggled in from the United States. Maybe instead of attacking responsible and legal gun owners, he could try to do something to reduce violence in those neighbourhoods he mentioned perhaps.

David Miller it's time to wake up and realize that if you want to reduce gun violence, you need to focus on those people who use guns in a violent manner and not everyone else.

Quebec Politicians Need to Back Off and Let the American Film Industry Make Its Own Business Decisions

According to ctv.ca, many Quebec politicians, including the ADQ, are demanding that the American film industry dub their films into French in Quebec. They would be willing to see a law passed forcing this to occur, unless the industry is willing to cave into their demands.

This is absolutely ludicrous and ridiculous! The government of Quebec has no right or business whatsoever placing demands on an independent and foreign industry. What's next? Dictating the content of Hollywood films to their specifications??

The film industry needs to be free to make their own business decisions. If they see economic justification for dubbing a film into French in Quebec, then they will do it. If they don't, then they shouldn't be forced to do so.

Vic Toews Judiciary Rumors

Apparently, former Justice Minister and current President of the Treasury Board Vic Toews is being considered for an appointment as a Federal judge in Manitoba. If true, and he accepts the appointment, it will be a great loss for the Conservative government as well as a great gain for the people of Manitoba.

Although he has not received as much visibility or publicity as President of the Treasury Board, his actions as Minister of justice included some of the most commendable and innovative reforms in generations.

• He worked tirelessly to raise the age of sexual consent to protect children from sexual predators and exploitative adults.
• He helped ensure that criminals convicted of serious crimes are not eligible to be sentences to house arrest.
• He was responsible for initiating reforms calling for mandatory minimum sentences for people who commit gun crimes.
• He accurately recognized that a lenient and mild youth criminal justice system does nothing to help rehabilitate criminals or to protect society.
• He fought to protect society and innocent victims by introducing revamped 'dangerous offender' legislation.

Vic Toews is a true conservative. He has strong principles, convictions, and values. While I will miss him in Ottawa if this rumor does come to pass, I am certain he will carry out his duties and obligations admirably in Manitoba.

UN Security Council Seat a Popularity Contest Not Necessarily Worth Winning

If the only way to get a seat on the UN Security Council is to pander to tyrannical regimes and totalitarian states, then perhaps Canada should not be so desirous of one.

Canada is currently not represented on the Security Council, although we are currently seeking election to a seat for 20011-2012. There has been some media speculation that Canada's chance of getting one of two available seats has decreased. Yesterday the Liberal Party put out a press release criticizing the government saying that "in two years, this Prime Minister has diminished our place at the United Nations."

I am proud of the stands that Canada's government has taken on issues under the Conservatives. No longer do we stand on the sidelines, afraid to give an accurate assessment of a situation out of fear of offending some nation or another.

We should not concern ourselves with what the dictatorships and authoritarians of the world think of us. If they approve of what Canada is doing, then we are obviously not doing enough to stand up for security and human rights and freedoms in the world. If the price for representation on the Security Council is to lose our ability to comment accurately and frankly on the state of world affairs, then I, for one, would rather we sacrifice the seat than our principles.

Dion Pitches Carbon Tax Plan to the Wealthy who can Most Afford it

The Toronto Star has a short article this morning which describes a speech Stephan Dion gave last night to a 800 supporters in Montreal in favour of his carbon tax plan. Each of these supporters paid $500 a plate to hear him speak.

$500 a plate?!?!? Anyone who can afford to spend/waste $500 to listen to Stephane Dion clearly has enough money to pay for a carbon tax.

These supporters will be able to afford paying higher gas prices every time they go to the gas station. These supporters will be able to afford paying higher heating bills every winter and higher air conditioning bills every summer. These supporters will be able to pay higher prices for food and goods they already depend upon and use.

I wonder why Dion choose that particular crowd to pitch his carbon tax plan to? Why didn't he announce his plan to a group of senior citizens living on fixed incomes? Why didn't he announce his plan to a group of middle class parents who worry about paying for their children's extra-curricular activities, school trips, and university education? Why didn't he announce it to a group of small business owners who rely on fuel and energy to power their business and get products made? Why didn't he announce it to a group of automotive sector employees whose jobs are already tenuous enough without increased fuel and energy taxes?

The answer is quite obvious: these groups cannot afford to pay his carbon tax, while the wealthy elite can.

Even though the Liberals claim that they would respond with decreases to income taxes (a claim which I do not trust - the Liberals never saw a tax they didn't like or wouldn't accept), they seem to have forgotten that not every Canadian pays income taxes. What about students, low income Canadians, and retirees who aren't making enough money to be taxes? they won't see any benefit, but they will see their heating and gas bills rise.

Stephane Dion choose to unveil his intention to introduce a carbon tax plan to a group of wealthy elites, because they're the only Canadians who can actually afford to pay for it.

Liberal Party Wrong to Assume that All Institutions are Non-Partisan and Unbiased

Recently, the Liberal Party and its leader Stephane Dion have criticized the Conservatives for what he characterized as a "war on federal institutions," for daring to criticize and/or intervene in some government institutions, like the Wheat Board and Elections Canada.

Liberals merely assume that these institutions are non-partisan and unbiased; however, this does not seem to be the case. The Liberals treasure these institutions because they represent and mirror the values and policies of the Liberal Party.

For instance, Elections Canada has focused on a witch hunt of the Conservative Party over election financing when all parties, not just the Conservative Party, engage in financial transfers between local and national campaigns. Yet, Elections Canada has focused its energy solely on investigating the Conservatives. This can hardly be considered a hallmark of non-partisanship!

Similarly, members of the Canadian Wheat Board who support the Liberals' policy of pro-monopoly powers over wheat and grains grown in Western Canada have been removed from their government-appointed positions for not supporting the official government policy. It is not up to unelected civil servants to dictate what policy will be, even if they wish they could (especially if they are trying to preserve or implement policies of former Liberal governments!).

When a Liberal sees something as non-partisan, they mean that the organization or institution is not opposed to them, rather than being truly neutral and unbiased.

Fighting Native Gang Violence Needs to be a Priority

This Globe and Mail story shocked me when I read it this morning. It concerns the proliferation and extreme violence committed by members of native gangs, specifically groups callings themselves the Indian Posse, the Manitoba Warriors, and the Native Syndicate.

The level of violence they are prepared to commit is heinous, deplorable, and nothing short of terrorism in trying to suppress dissent and co-operation with the police. One women they interviewed has been shot at, beaten twice, and has had her windows smashed and destroyed. Other members of the community have had their homes burned down in a deliberate act of aggression and intimidation. In order to finance their operations, they are involved in drug trafficking and organized prostitution.

Although the story does make it clear that many of the gangs' members are currently in prison (which is a very good thing), it seems they are still involved in directing the operations of the gang from their jail cells.

We as a society can no longer ignore the danger that gangs cause in Canada, especially these native gangs. They are preying on some of the most vulnerable Canadians who have no option to escape and must instead remain on the reserves alongside these criminals, thugs, and terrorists. The courts and corrections systems need to start taking this issue more seriously and put a stop to it. If gang leaders are able to direct the activities of the gang on the streets, then they have obviously been granted far too much latitude and freedom in their facilities. They need to be removed from any communication with the outside world in order to protect innocent victims.

Furthermore, the police need to be much more active in arresting and charging gang members. Once convicted, they need to receive longer and more stringent sentences. Keeping these people out of society and off of the reserves where they carry out their criminal activities and intimidation tactics is crucial to protecting innocent men, women, and children.

Dion's Support for Terrorist the Wrong Policy for Canada

Yesterday, the Liberal Party of Canada posted a news release on their website calling for the Canadian government not to "pick and choose when to intervene on behalf of its citizens abroad."

Dion then proceeds to advocate on behalf of Omar Khadr, the terrorist and alleged murderer currently being held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, as if supporting him were the same thing as the recent support offered by the government of Canada towards Brenda Martin, who had been incarcerated in Mexico.

This is a completely ludicrous, naive, and dangerous political position to adopt. Omar Khadr and his entire family are dangerous and should be considered enemies of the Canadian state and way of life. The reason why he is in Guantanamo Bay in the first place is because he was captured fighting for the terrorist organizations of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Not only was he fighting on behalf of an oppressive and evil regime, he also is believed to have murdered an American soldier with a grenade.

Brenda Martin, on the other hand, worked as a chef for a man responsible for a fraud scheme. Although evidence was tenuous, she was convicted in the matter for accepting a severance payment from her employer which originated through the fraud scheme.

Brenda Martin is the type of Canadian we should be supporting abroad; Omar Khadr is most definitely not. There is a large distinction between being a side player in a fraud scheme and participating in a terrorist organization and murdering an American soldier.

It is imperative that Canada retain the ability to pick and choose who is deserving of our support abroad. Terrorists and murderers do not deserve the protection and privileges of the Canadian state.

Pat Martin Is a fool

In a ctv.ca story NDP MP Pat Martin has once again made a fool of himself in his rush to condemn the Conservative Party for legal expenses before properly uncovering the facts.

In this story, he complains that ridings are "misrepresenting the value of the polling" they had conducted. he basis this assessment on a quote he obtained by personally calling a polling firm for 400 people. Well, Pat, did it ever occur to you that maybe these polling calls were supposed to reach more than 400 people???

In elections, races are won and lost on the basis of their lists of supporters and the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) effort, which you get my conducting calls to people and asking them if they will support you. And, trust me, you need more than 400 people listed as supporters .

Maybe he was confused because the NDP is used to only being able to find 400 supporters in their ridings and assumed we would all have such low support...