tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91796002012-01-26T17:39:12.796-05:00<p>Politics and justice for all of us</p>Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.comBlogger13031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-33145752734157401722012-01-10T20:51:00.001-05:002012-01-10T20:51:20.496-05:00

Based on Dr. Seuss's final book before his death, this is a story about life's ups and downs, told by the people of Burning Man 2011. Directed by: Teddy Saunders - www.tedshots.com

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-78592954082146012662012-01-07T00:39:00.000-05:002012-01-07T00:39:15.145-05:00

Stephen Harper is warning us that big green bucks of the environmental kind may flow into Canada in an attempt to thwart the legitimate conservative, whoops, I mean corporate efforts of the Ethical Oil folks. Add caption Today the CBC reported that the Prime Minister of Alberta and the rest of Canada "...told journalists Friday he's heard concerns expressed about the use of foreign money by

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-25991277123462930202012-01-06T20:24:00.003-05:002012-01-06T21:00:40.954-05:00

"I'm probably going to hell via the karma of pedantry, or at least end up 'tarred & feathered' {wink}." - Howard Ish My friend Howard passed away yesterday, he was 50... Howard was kinda like that crazy uncle we all know of.  I would be hard pressed to find or hear tell of someone that could match him. Eccentric is not enough to describe him, besides I think you need to be rich to be eccentric

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-66028587263785692482012-01-05T19:44:00.002-05:002012-01-05T19:44:49.164-05:00

The Catholic establishment has made war against gays for years. Now they want to ensure gays do not work in the Catholic school system.   Catholic schools must remove those practising same-sex relationships says the title of an editorial by Fr. Alphonse de Valk in the online magazine, Catholic Insight.  This guy is living in 1958. There have always been gays in the catholic system. Today I know

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-46543853405893367402012-01-03T23:39:00.003-05:002012-01-03T23:39:42.554-05:00

After spending a couple of weeks in the USA I still do not understand how Iowa is important, especially this year.  Its a tiny State. It's almost all white and they're easily swayed by millions of dollars of advertising.  Advertising from super pacs and the candidates. Most of the candidates are fighting it out to be the number one opposed to abortion. When they aren't attacking a Woman's right

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-18128983924379900842012-01-03T08:19:00.001-05:002012-01-03T16:33:23.973-05:00

Here I am back in Toronto after travelling to the Okanagan and then back to the Toronto airport to jump in the car and drive to Erie Pennsylvania to enjoy a fabulous suite for the night before heading onto Durham North Carolina.   I flew back last night (after three weeks) with sixty-two dollars in my pocket.  If the US and Obama's economy doesn't improve, I can at least say I did my part!  

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-85849025990333908722012-01-01T12:47:00.001-05:002012-01-03T06:06:50.590-05:00

I started the new year in my pj's locked out of the house at about 7:30 this morning. I would have just walked the mile to the coffee shop had I been wearing my Superman pj's but I was wearing some cool rocket ship ones. they are super cool but likely would have made me a spectacle. Not that I am opposed or not predisposed to make a spectacle of myself. The difficulty here was my location. I

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-47476752575706288902011-12-30T01:41:00.001-05:002011-12-30T01:41:05.918-05:00

Since the election in May I had high hopes for the NDP. The party had achieved two major breakthroughs.  The first becoming the official opposition and the second being the massive win in Quebec.  The reason in large part was the leadership of Jack Layton and the parties decision to do politics differently. The NDP campaign was less about the other guys and more about what the NDP would do.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-31254734823223548622011-12-22T22:44:00.001-05:002011-12-22T22:44:09.780-05:00

Here I sit, in the middle of the great Christian Empire, in the southern USA.  The land where if it has anything to do with a woman's body or two guys kissing, the men will set it all straight.  Being Canadian, I have always felt a little smug when I visited the Empire. Generally Canada seemed to be more progressive, we didn't like to get into shooting wars and respected human rights.  Of course

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-58772339563939652342011-12-12T23:34:00.000-05:002011-12-12T23:39:54.244-05:00

Every now and again you hear another protest song, you see another bigger better 'It gets better' video. After awhile they all sound and look the same.  Yet tonight, Robbie Roth, a queer Toronto song writer and performer, sent me a link to his latest contribution for the march to equality. The song is about making some noise, getting into action.  Its good.  Robbie wrote the song with Gavin

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-57925367495295545782011-12-12T18:48:00.002-05:002011-12-12T18:51:59.330-05:00

Anti-Gay Conservative, GOP Bill Johnson, donated sperm to lesbians.  The guy travelled to New Zealand and was shopping his sperm over the Internet.  He managed to donate to nine women in all, including some lesbians. Bill Johnson It seems he is married to a woman that can not have children and he felt the need to spread his seed. Trouble is he didn't share this with his wife.  Trouble is he

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-85964229039500864662011-12-10T08:01:00.001-05:002011-12-10T08:35:46.850-05:00

This is a lesson for all the mainstream media.  It comes from NPR in the US.  NPR tried to find a millionaire job creator to ask them  if the GOP claims that a surtax on the wealthy would stop job creation. NPR called many Republican congressional staff and leadership offices of the GOP in the Senate and House. They were unable to get a single name! NPR then went to business groups who are 

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-90883755744657736532011-12-08T07:32:00.001-05:002011-12-08T08:31:54.272-05:00

The Stephen Harper Conservative government has once again shown us that they believe they can do anything they want to because they have a majority.  The Government has been found guilty of breaking the law and what his their response? Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the government will appeal the decision and press ahead with the legislation, which it hopes to have in place by August. “The

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-13931564655060889432011-12-07T08:32:00.001-05:002011-12-07T08:42:59.547-05:00

H/t to Robert McClelland @RJMcClelland Full cartoon can be found on Fisherman's Road blog here

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-47773975030145595912011-12-05T09:20:00.001-05:002011-12-05T09:31:50.863-05:00

I posted this video last night.  A young boy going into grade eight. He is scared.  Lots of people call him names. This is bullying.  This is wrong.  I wish I could reach out and hug this boy.  He needs support.  He needs a safe place to be. You can see that he has put a lot of thought into his video.  He made up all of the cards. He choose the music. I suspect he could not have said out loud

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-82851672627718754192011-12-04T22:17:00.000-05:002011-12-04T22:17:43.430-05:00

It's a crime. While Stephen Harper and his government are building prions to put pot smokers in jail, they are ignoring the plight of many young people in this country. While the Harper Government ramps up the new program to speak out for religious freedom around the world, the Ontario Liberal government is finding ways to allow systemic, may I say religious passive genocide against queer kids.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-28407761176427246662011-12-04T21:42:00.001-05:002011-12-04T21:46:33.236-05:00

You have have got to be kidding, Only in America could this happen, or Russia maybe... Okay Iran too.  Three leaders running for the GOP nomination in the US have promised to investigate the gay community. You read that right, they want to check us out. The pledge ....   I, [candidate name], pledge to the American people that if elected President, I will: [...] establish a presidential

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-80261882356482399522011-12-04T20:57:00.001-05:002011-12-04T22:22:18.720-05:00

Many of you have written and asked about my farm. Its not a real farm, it was once, for some poor folks that moved to it 200 years ago. They had to make the rock piles and forest work for them. It must have have been tough. The land is all rock. Today we grow many apples here, we grow many veggies and we and our friends relax here. We share much with the deer and bear, and the Faeries too.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-14067854765559974432011-12-04T20:50:00.001-05:002011-12-04T21:03:06.785-05:00

Little Drummer Boy in Winnipeg. 16 year old Sean Quigley expresses the song much differently.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-29585106759085287022011-12-01T14:55:00.001-05:002011-12-01T15:58:29.232-05:00

New anti-bullying law is good except for one thing... McGuinty said this in the legislature: “We’re going to require that, at every school where students request that this be put in place, they be permitted to organize themselves with a gay-straight alliance,”   “It may not be that name that they use, but the important thing is we’re going to have that kind of a supportive group there available

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-69834953800003856082011-12-01T09:27:00.001-05:002011-12-01T09:35:57.450-05:00

World AIDS Day -   Steven, he made me laugh, cry and love. He was special, like so many others. He was brave, stronger than me.  I miss you Steven. Stephanie, Steven and me To where you are Steven A tale of two gay men, AIDS and Family

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-9841268419076818902011-12-01T08:02:00.001-05:002011-12-01T08:04:06.683-05:00

This morning birds flying over St Jamestown in Toronto

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-41412519226809655642011-11-28T09:12:00.001-05:002011-11-28T09:38:46.865-05:00

The Stephen Harper government's omnibus crime bill is making its final stop in the Commons this week before heading off to the Senate.    I recall having a conversation with two political reporters at a Progressive Bloggers event in the East Block on Parliament Hill.  Our host was the well respected Progressive Conservative, Senator Elaine McCoy.  I should also note that I believe she is the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-54600845013665919332011-11-26T17:48:00.001-05:002011-11-26T18:11:42.712-05:00

So in doing some research into Premier Clark and her BC Liberal Government, I discovered what I already suspected was the case. BC has the highest child poverty rate in Canada.  In fact, they have had the worst record of child poverty for eight years in a row.  Kinda makes you proud to be from BC right?   Christy Clark, the Great 'not' Gordo hope for Families in BC wants to put Families First.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-69886835354832571382011-11-26T17:12:00.001-05:002011-11-26T17:12:33.171-05:00

I know of a few of my blogging friends here in Ontario, people on the progressive side of politics (today that means almost anyone that isn't a Conservative), who support the BC Liberals and in particular, Christy Clark.  Supporting Christy Clark puts your progressive credentials on the line. Premier Christy Clark Clark is a slightly younger version of Stephen Harper.  She better than Gordon

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-5890140960831952772011-11-25T22:02:00.001-05:002011-11-25T22:23:03.553-05:00

Okay, something different I always liked the song, Little Drummer Boy. Im not a christian, yet I find this song comforting. So I decided to gather a few versions. Its all my buddy Michael Yoder's fault. He posted a an okay version of the song on facebook. Then Bob Dylan did this version Then Justin Bieber abig time Christian, does this really yucky version of the song... This is

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-38987538464627093612011-11-25T16:46:00.001-05:002011-11-25T16:46:09.465-05:00

AMAZING video of a journalist not taking crap from NYPD. The reporter is told that he can not be there filming the protest. The police manhandle him, shout at him and continue to direct him away. The reporter is having none of that. Its fortunate for the reporter that there were many other cameras recording the incident. No cameras and the reporter is charged with assaulting a police officer

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-61981199171000286732011-11-25T08:55:00.001-05:002011-11-25T09:02:44.262-05:00

Ken Sander's photo TreeHugger

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-31486710629983797452011-11-25T08:11:00.001-05:002011-11-25T08:37:13.493-05:00

We still have time to raise awareness on Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill being rammed through the House of Commons by the Stephen Harper Conservatives. LeadNow.ca This would be funny if it weren't so true.  Crime rates at record low levels and a crazy government decides it needs to get tough on crime. They take on Texas like program just as Texas decides it doesn't work. It's rife with

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-57979824172344993072011-11-23T15:39:00.001-05:002011-11-23T15:58:16.133-05:00

This is horrifying.  No parent should ever get away with this.  I know many parents 20 and 30 years ago did this.  It was wrong then and it is wrong today.  The person beating his daughter in the video below is a Family Law Judge in Texas.  This man is suppose to be someone who upholds the law and can be respected.  I tried to watch this video three times so far.  I have only managed to watch the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-34299595299444260412011-11-20T22:48:00.001-05:002011-11-20T23:11:23.719-05:00

The Stephen Harper Conservatives are about to add to the cost of government.  Justice will soon cost us much more than it does now.  We all have heard about the cost to build new prisons and housing the new influx of prisoners due to minimum sentences contained in Bill C-10, the omni-crime bill.  Most the burden will be on the provincial side of spending. The costs don't stop there.  We will

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-73257853301256451592011-11-19T08:50:00.000-05:002011-11-19T08:50:05.811-05:00

Open Letter to Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi | UCDavis Bicycle Barricadesee also my post last night: Police use pepper-spray against sitting Students

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-27239945034190796572011-11-19T00:06:00.001-05:002011-11-19T08:48:55.198-05:00

The rule of thumb in use-of-force: police are prohibited from applying more physical force than is necessary to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement task. H/t to Joshua Holland Watch the video below of university students.  The students are sitting.  The students are not threatening. They are sitting very peacefully.  Then a police office pulls out his pepper spray and walks down the line

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-88810840259402517902011-11-17T07:25:00.001-05:002011-11-17T07:58:43.126-05:00

John Moore nails it in today's column in the National Post... But the anger out there isn’t about knee-jerk anti-capitalism or grieving those who create genuine wealth. It’s about pushing back against those who got us into this mess by gaming the system. They were bought out with our money and had the gall to then insist they couldn’t possibly continue to do their jobs unless they collected

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-81719353713679309232011-11-16T13:28:00.001-05:002011-11-16T14:05:02.877-05:00

The Stephen Harper government is spending a ton of money spying on Canadians.  Even after they were told not to spy on the medical records of VETS they have continued the practice.  And now we hear they are sying on First Nations advocates. Cindy Blackstock Cindy Blackstock is a hard working advocate that has become a thorn under the rear end of the Conservative government.  The government

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-7299033498483595632011-11-16T12:33:00.001-05:002011-11-19T06:56:30.264-05:00

It looks like the Occupy folks have really pissed off the management.  In Seattle the police pepper sprayed woman, Dorli Rainey, 84 who was part of the occupy protest. Dorli Rainey, 84 I imagine she must have been a real threat to police. More at the Toronto Star here And in New York videographer Joey Boots was the subject of a homophobic slur by a security guard. “Your fly’s open,

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-30954539569636238872011-11-16T00:47:00.001-05:002011-11-16T00:52:14.109-05:00

Opps!  Ethical oil, Canada's new brand got a black eye in Wyoming.  The EPA has been testing water to confirm its contaminated due to Fracturing.  Seems EnCana a well known Canadian company has been doing this, albeit legally, may well be responsible for contaminating ground water in the State of Wyoming.  Read more about the EPA results here: EPA Finds Compound Used in Fracking in Wyoming

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-50332901493779294592011-11-15T19:46:00.001-05:002011-11-16T00:28:06.402-05:00

Conflict Oil or Ethical Oil.  Its amazing to see this campaign roll out.  The people that previously had somewhat successfully changed Tar sands to Oil sands are now suggesting oil from Alberta is an ethical choice over oil from Saudi Arabia or Iran. On the face of it they do have a point.  They point to the treatment of women in these dark skinned countries and they also point to the what could

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-24689626593321494722011-11-15T11:12:00.001-05:002011-11-15T11:49:35.036-05:00

It happened.  This morning the City of Toronto issued Notices of Trespass against the people of Occupy Toronto. Be out by midnight. I am gobsmacked. The movement has been very peaceful in our city.  The park is very clean and well prepared for the colder temperatures. I don't think these people could be anymore compliant. The only people ticked off are a few Ford Nation folks and the SUN

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-19077183613400759712011-11-15T07:04:00.001-05:002011-11-15T08:30:20.815-05:00

Reasons Mayor Ford will use to try and shut down the Toronto Occupy site. 1. complaints from Sun News 2. need to winterize the sprinkler system 3. for the health and safety of protesters 4. cause all the other Canadian cities got rid of their Occupy sites 5. we can't afford to keep police watching it all winter 6. the fire inspections take fire fighters away from conducting real fire

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-26156560620836010672011-11-14T15:37:00.001-05:002011-11-14T15:39:31.452-05:00

Last week I told you about the families in Attawapiskat Ontario, on James Bay. Their MP has been trying to get something done. Watch the video made by Charles Angus, MP for the area. The squalor Canadians are being forced to live in is heartbreaking. Someone at Aboriginal Affairs has to take action now. The Government must act now. By government I am referring to both the federal government

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-2893528416665320952011-11-14T11:35:00.001-05:002011-11-14T11:56:19.147-05:00

Your MASSIVE Con Jobs - senators Doug Finley and Irving Gerstein, past party director Michael Donison, and past CFO Susan Kehoe - charged with criminal offenses were ^NOT "cleared of wrongdoing". Dammit Janet! says it well. go have a look...

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-53212869366444129132011-11-12T08:28:00.001-05:002011-11-12T08:51:44.439-05:00

Off duty police officer in Dallas, moonlighting for Bank Of America as a security guard, pushes protester off of a four foot high planter to the sidewalk.  The protester was then charged with felony assault of a police officer and resisting arrest. You can see the protester is standing on the planter, the off duty police officer is right beside him.  Then without any obvious reason, the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-43296391398899015742011-11-11T21:06:00.001-05:002011-11-11T23:42:19.465-05:00

I am saddened on this day of remembrance.  We honour those that went to war, were peacekeepers, went to Afghanistan, the ones killed, the ones who returned.  I am saddened because all these people have given a lot to make the world a better place.  I'm saddened by all the words people spoke today that wrapped us in a collective cozy quilt, perhaps the flag emblazoned on it, saying how lucky we

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-41438551794196489402011-11-10T17:43:00.001-05:002011-11-10T18:11:34.047-05:00

Cabinet ministers got the news Wednesday after lunch. The good news: cuts to Ontario government services won’t be as “brutal” as in the Mike Harris era. "The bad news: restraint — and reformation — will be “unprecedented” in duration and effect. Queen’s Park is rethinking the old ways of delivering services in virtually every sector — health, education, social services, energy, booze — to shed

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-54279253397551163282011-11-10T14:03:00.001-05:002011-11-10T14:23:38.663-05:00

It's Christmas in November, it is if you are a Liberal MPP in Ontario. 52 of the 53 Liberal MPPs were appointed as either a Cabinet Minister or Parliamentary Assistant to a Minister.  All of these jobs bring with it an additional salary add-on. No wonder 51% of the people that could have voted, didn't vote in the last election. This is enough to piss off a server at Tim Horton's or laid off guy

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-13076145489323237702011-11-10T13:22:00.001-05:002011-11-10T16:34:46.594-05:00

The Harper Conservatives look to have received a get out of jail card  in a deal between itself and Elections Canada.  The Conservative Party will admit to "Administrative Imperfection". Mcleans photo - Senator Findley keeps job/pension This will conclude one major issue between the party and the agency that regulates election spending in Canada.  The Conservatives near the end of the 2006

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-83236364294794463852011-11-10T12:20:00.001-05:002011-11-10T13:05:38.082-05:00

The NDP Leadership battle is taking it's toll on the party in the House of Commons and allowing quite a bit of air time for Bob Rae, the Interim leader of the Liberals and Rae is making the most of it. The NDP is not backsliding however, with feisty Pat Martin, the entertaining and tenacious Charlie Angus and the calm and thorough Peter Julian doing much of the heavy lifting.  Still the NDP

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-26455118388625676652011-11-10T11:26:00.001-05:002011-11-10T12:02:16.847-05:00

You can recall Stephen Harper saying we wouldn't recognize Canada when he got done?  It meant more than just painting the Government of Canada websites in Tory Blue.  He is slowly moving government out of the way of business. Its happening without any fanfare.  You will recall the listeria outbreak from Maple Leaf Foods packaging plants.  Twenty-one Canadians died as a result of tainted meat.  

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-38995239092931058332011-11-09T18:06:00.001-05:002011-11-09T18:07:40.884-05:00

Herberth Menendez is a 30 year old queer Mexican living with HIV, who immigrated to Canada in 2007. He left Mexico to claim refugee status in Canada because he feared for his life due to the intense discrimination and threats of physical violence he faced for being openly gay and living with HIV. Despite having submitted detailed proof of the homophobia and HIV discrimination he has faced in

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-6089094742128127432011-11-09T17:51:00.002-05:002011-11-09T17:51:37.757-05:00

You know there is hope that the United States is coming around.  I know that there are at least 155 million of you that are progressive. Its clear to me every time I visit.  Yet you have had this fling with GWB and then with the Tea Party.  I mean who drinks tea any more.  Glad you have at least put a little ice in that tea. The people of Ohio voted down a law passed by the republicans that

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-84266486963801756712011-11-09T16:23:00.000-05:002011-11-09T17:51:45.480-05:00

The Vancouver Sun and other Post media papers ran a piece on November 5 called 'Public figures urged to come 'out'. It's not a bad piece except for the fact that it clearly leaves out the one party that has done ground breaking work on the matter.  The article fails to point out that the first openly gay member of parliament was an NDP member, that the NDP have the largest openly gay caucus of

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-29539203827571998632011-11-09T13:50:00.001-05:002011-11-09T13:50:43.831-05:00

Oh dear, this must hurt... The Conservatives have not liked how the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has been doing his job. They have gone so far as to limit the information they give him, yet despite attempts to kneecap him, he has been on the mark most of the time, and certainly more so than the current Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty. Take note, PBO Kevin Page pointed out that he can't

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-54142272212698209632011-11-09T13:08:00.000-05:002011-11-09T13:08:30.088-05:00

Ontario's Minority Government looks to be getting the backing of the Hudak Conservatives.  Some of you may see that as a surprise.  I for one am not at all surprised at this. Hudak doesn't want an election right away. McGuinty will use this first year to cut and slash as much as he can so he can have more good news announcements as we close in on an election, likely in two years. The Liberals

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-13297982658220892332011-11-08T22:22:00.000-05:002011-11-08T22:22:33.983-05:00

Signs of sanity returning to the US of A! TPM Blog Ohio voters turned back a anti-union law and the good folks of Mississippi look to be dumping personhood. Can we all take a breather?

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-41878423718739876052011-11-08T18:01:00.001-05:002011-11-08T18:08:53.646-05:00

I can see where many Canadians are getting pissed at governments.  Two governments have effectively treated us like idiots.  The first is Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. He campaigned in a bubble zone, promised to balance the budget one year ahead of schedule and was elected to a majority government. Today we all know that was folly. Harper must have known he couldn't balance the budget

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-22502790208858514692011-11-08T09:18:00.001-05:002011-11-08T09:19:11.625-05:00

Just watch!  H/t to the Torontoist

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-43102304935998886232011-11-08T06:51:00.001-05:002011-11-08T06:51:48.949-05:00

Most Canadians view the #occupy movement favourably according to Nanos. The Nanos Research poll conducted for The Globe and Mail and La Presse found that 58 per cent of Canadians who are aware of the protests have a favourable or somewhat favorable impression of them. I'm pleased to see these numbers.  It confirms what I thought I was seeing and hearing from people in the course of my day.  

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-20701961991858200362011-11-07T19:59:00.000-05:002011-11-08T06:18:49.386-05:00

Kevin Page, Parliamentary Budget Officer, told us Finance Minister Jim Flaherty could not meet his deficit targets.  The NDP and other opposition parties have been telling the Harper Government this for months now.  Tomorrow, Flaherty will announce he can't meet the targets.  Its is a bit of a shame, okay a lot shame, that this government can not forecast its way out of a wet paper bag.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-34932833794527191182011-11-07T08:09:00.001-05:002011-11-07T08:09:24.170-05:00

The Harper Conservatives want to end to make it harder to get a loan to run for leader of a party.  They want to make sure the loan is for $1100 or less from an individual or is from a bank or credit union.  Sounds like a smart policy.  This way we know some shady business or union leader can't buy the favour of those in power.  I like that. The trouble is that they are changing the rules in

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-12763127965802058032011-11-07T07:40:00.004-05:002011-11-07T07:47:16.257-05:00

The UK has gone a step closer to allowing gay men to donate blood.  I am not sure how successful it will be as Gay men can only donate blood if they have not had sex for a full year.  That seems almost as stupid as the ban itself.  People will either not donate blood or will state that they have not had sex in a year.  Just get rid of the ban. As gay man I believe I am as responsible as the next

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-42215080488652251512011-11-03T13:28:00.001-04:002011-11-03T13:29:56.149-04:00

STOP ONLINE SPYING DOES STEPHEN HARPER THINK ITS 1984? How far is the Conservative government planning on going with its "Lawful Access" online snooping bill? Think police should have access to YOUR internet and cell phone records without a warrant? Come join the fight to stop this invasive legislation and protect our privacy rights. If enough of us speak out now the government will have no

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-29766424387968697802011-11-03T09:43:00.002-04:002011-11-03T09:44:19.640-04:00

Kinsella on Sun TV I'm no big fan of Warren Kinsella. He's the Ken Linesman or Sean Avery of politics. If he's your team-mate you can put up with him, if he's against you, look out as anything could happen, usually something dirty.  Today however he is right on the mark. Del Mastro 'What's that noise, sounds like a train?' Dean Del Mastro, the Harper Conservative's dog, bites to kill

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-22711370543107028372011-11-03T08:49:00.001-04:002011-11-03T08:49:46.746-04:00

Just how wealthy are the 400 richest families in the United States? They could pay... The richest 400 could pay your rent, and the rent of every single renter in the entire United States for three years. The richest 400 could pay the mortgages of every house in the whole country for 14 full months.  The richest 400 households can pay off every student loan for every single student in the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-9819689412473405372011-11-03T08:18:00.000-04:002011-11-03T08:40:08.973-04:00

During the provincial Election, the Ontario Liberals promised to stop a gas plant from being built in Mississauga. A gas plant they approved in the first place.  The cancellation of the gas plant likely saved the Liberals a couple seats. Gas Plant in Mississauga (late Oct 2011)  - CTV Photo One month after the election and the work continues on the gas plant. McGuinty shrugs and tells us via

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-39955595030250965342011-11-02T12:44:00.000-04:002011-11-02T12:44:16.237-04:00

Today CBC is 75 years old.  I was browsing through their excellent 75th birthday blog and they have many fabulous offerings there.  I found this two page newspaper ad outlining the TV schedule. It brought back many memories for me and I expect it will for you too. Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-28962993718385409752011-11-02T12:03:00.001-04:002011-11-02T12:48:43.299-04:00

There is a strike happening in Oakland California in support of Occupy Oakland.  Its only going to grow folks. Here is photo of the window in a mens wear shop, closed for the day.  Check out the livestream for #occupoakland

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-38923883125081669252011-11-02T09:58:00.000-04:002011-11-02T10:07:16.370-04:00

This is what occupy wall street, the world wide occupy movement could do for you... We want it back. A world that delivers what we promise.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-48972999916191495882011-11-02T07:09:00.003-04:002011-11-02T07:09:52.230-04:00

Today Tony Clement goes before a Parliamentary committee. It should be a real ordeal for him.  It likely won't be however, as the Conservative majority will do what it takes to stifle real debate here. John Baird, his babysitter, will do his best to protect Clement during the questioning.  Will Tony look to John before he answers a question and will he use something other than talking points

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-57836810484237040432011-11-01T13:07:00.002-04:002011-11-01T13:07:20.177-04:00

Asbestos, it kills people.  So while everyone is talking about the gun registry, The NDP's motion calling for the end of mining and exporting asbestos will be voted on this evening. We came close to a similar motion in 2009, or least we thought we were close, then Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff told a group of people on Vancouver Island that is Asbestos was bad for the Parliament of Canada, (a

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-34826840269067768212011-11-01T08:12:00.000-04:002011-11-02T10:17:10.460-04:00

You know the Conservatives are doing more than just ending the registry for guns right? The debate has moved to the Government's plan to destroy the records. This has taken some of the attention away from the real meat of the legislation, that guns will be unregistered and some of them are sniper rifles. Rifles like the Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle. This is the same rifle with a clip

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-28689940407606436802011-11-01T07:23:00.001-04:002011-11-01T07:24:38.983-04:00

"That Certain Summer," an ABC made-for-TV movie aired on this day in 1972.  It starred Hal Holbrook and Martin Sheen as lovers.  In the film a teenager must deal with his divorced father's homosexuality.  The made-for-tv movie was written by the Emmy-winning writing team of Richard Levinson and William Link (Columbo, Mannix). Hal Holbrook stars as a middle-aged divorced man, whose son played

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-45736934207172791082011-10-31T22:11:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:11:52.586-04:00

Take that Sun News Network CBC ad in Globe and Mail See Dammit Janet for more...

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-40616437588651347162011-10-31T11:14:00.003-04:002011-10-31T11:14:57.004-04:00

Out gay student gets beaten by another student in Ohio. Luckily for the young out gay boy someone did get it on video.  The attack portions of the video have been blurred to protect the identity of the boy who was attacked. In this video a boy is attacked.  The boy's mother believes it is a hate crime.  Her son is out in school as gay. The bully in this case was suspended for three days.  

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-59083802952845452792011-10-31T10:28:00.001-04:002011-10-31T10:28:14.773-04:00

I was waiting to give the Harper Conservatives a pat on the back for making the "'it gets better' video. I would like too - I can't.  There is nothing in it.  In fact other than their token almost out gay dude, the rest all voted to reopen the debate on same-sex marriage in this country.  One of them, David Sweet, in the past, has said some pretty homophobic things. The video is an attempt to

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-55997140236791984632011-10-31T08:28:00.002-04:002011-10-31T08:28:30.961-04:00

Prime Minister Stephen Harper can pass any legislation he wants.  The only trouble he can get into is if public opinion rises in opposition. To limit the chances of the public getting that mad at him, Harper has used closure seven times to end debate in parliament on legislation, including the Wheat Board and the Gun Registry. I expect few governments have used closure so often, so early in their

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-22382026513157832842011-10-27T12:21:00.001-04:002011-10-27T12:31:16.450-04:00

Raffi, one of Canada's most famous and renown Children's singer, entertainer and advocate has put Jack Layton's letter to Canadians to music.  His song is available for free download as is the music. Here is a link to the song...  Letter to a Nation This from the Center for Child Honouring website... Like so many Canadians across the country and across party lines, west coast singer/

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-47182960339077202862011-10-27T11:16:00.003-04:002011-10-27T11:18:15.836-04:00

Hey boys, if you are in Vancouver or planning to be there next week, take this in.  No one does it better!  This organization has done great work for Gay men's health issues over the last decade. 7th BC Gay Men’s Health Summit Health & Sexual Rights   Thursday November 3 & Friday November 4, 2011Harbour Centre, Simon Fraser University515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver Program Highlights

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-491310149503880632011-10-27T10:46:00.001-04:002011-10-27T10:46:14.049-04:00

Former Liberal MP, Glen Pearson, has compiled a list of those Stephen Harper couldn't beat so he fired them. Glen Pearson - Former MP Beating ‘Em In The Alley Hockey legend Conn Smythe was by all accounts a fierce competitor. His most famous quote was characteristically blunt: “If you can’t beat them on the ice, you can’t beat them in the alley.” I wonder what he’d think about what’s

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-51963620148200001802011-10-27T08:35:00.001-04:002011-10-27T08:36:46.615-04:00

So Rob effing Ford called 911 and called the dispatchers bitches. He did!  Then he said "Don't you know, I'm the fucking Mayor".  Way way too funny, how's that working for your approval rating Rob? My favourite tweet on this is this one... Toronto's Mayor has become very entertaining.  I wasn't expecting that from him.  After all this I wonder what would have happened had he actually gone

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-11750195986476695032011-10-26T14:41:00.001-04:002011-10-26T14:41:57.963-04:00

Finally we get to see some policy stuff roll out from leadership hopefuls.  Jack Layton championed this as head of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities and as NDP leader  The text below is from Paul Dewar, NDP leadership candidate, his plan for Urban Canada.   At first blush, I don't see other leadership hopefuls having any problem embracing this platform for their own. -Ensure a seat at

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-91600439291742646212011-10-26T13:19:00.000-04:002011-10-26T13:19:03.482-04:00

More than half of Canadians do not have money saved up for a rainy day according to the Royal Bank (RBC).  What is rainy day money?  Since I was a kid people told me you had to have at least three months salary in the bank in case of an emergency.  You know, things like your car's transmission going clunk, losing your job, your roof leaking beyond the ability for a patch, your rental gets

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-4142788818755606802011-10-26T08:44:00.003-04:002011-10-26T08:44:59.528-04:00

What has The USA come too when a sailor has to stare down riot Police Sailor stares down riot police during Occupy Oakland, October 25, 2011 Check out twitter at #occupyoakland for latest news, video and pictures of the attacks on peaceful demonstrators in Oakland. America condemns leaders in other countries for cracking down on demonstrators yet here at home politicians use riot police and

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-30385787834036829982011-10-25T09:33:00.000-04:002011-10-25T09:33:48.727-04:00

The long gun registry is soon to be history in Canada as Harper finally decides to bring legislation forward to end the gift that keeps on giving.  If you are a conservative supporter, expect to receive a request for a big donation.  That request is likely in the mail.  Its intended to reach you before the law is passed by Harper's majority. Nothing has filled the coffers of the conservative

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-26787477178810096922011-10-24T12:18:00.002-04:002011-10-24T12:18:39.547-04:00

The Harper Government is set come good on an election promise to establish a new office within the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The new Office of Religious Freedom will investigate issues of religious freedom around the world. The budget will be five million dollars. Rationalizing the new international effort, current Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honourable 'Gold Plated' John Baird, told the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-55612660961382687532011-10-24T10:27:00.000-04:002011-10-24T10:27:20.030-04:00

Now we have a new Major Minority Government (hey, that's what the Ontario Liberals call it?) we can see them move on the school sex education curriculum. Especially after the tragic story of Jamie Hubley.  The new curriculum was proposed in 2010 and dismissed by the premier less than two days later after a handful of noisy fundamentalist chirstian schools wrote some emails.  We need the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-30124362044011626732011-10-19T12:59:00.001-04:002011-10-19T12:59:43.670-04:00

My condolences to Jamie Hubely and his family. It's time to take action to protect queer kids in our schools.  Jamie Hubely's suicide certainly makes that clear. I am haunted by his passing and I didn't know Jamie.  I do know what it was like for him.  I know it all too well.  The story you are about to read is real, it happened to me, it happens to kids in school all the time.   Its not a fun

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-68035586399136137042011-10-17T12:37:00.000-04:002011-10-17T12:39:48.953-04:00

Another young life is gone.  Another gay boy has committed suicide. I find it too much sometimes, the lives lost due to bullying and haters.  They continue to rack up notches on the proverbial gun. Its nothing short of genocide in my view and society as a whole may deplore it yet just as in Rwanda where we stood by while innocent people were slaughtered we are doing the same here. Jamie

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-18818101134804533342011-10-17T07:37:00.001-04:002011-10-17T07:37:39.011-04:00

I attended the annual get together of progressive bloggers recently in Toronto.  It was enjoyable but could have been even more so had I been able to trot out the latest poll out of Quebec.  The novelty of having the NDP ahead of the Conservatives and Liberals has yet to get boring for me and no doubt has our Liberal friends pulling their blanket even higher over their heads. Here is what the

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-66625379367731263772011-10-16T11:36:00.002-04:002011-10-16T11:36:38.544-04:00

Some signs of the times.. Signs at Occupy Toronto More signs at Nonprofity.com

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-87016794690693555532011-10-16T10:55:00.000-04:002011-10-16T10:55:11.082-04:00

Jim Stanford, an economist in Canada has published another must read article on the Occupy movement at the Globe and Mail.   rodmickleburgh 5 mins 8 secs ago Twitter Here it is again: my favourite protest sign #occupyvancouver #ows yfrog.com/oea00fj Stanford points out that the last time Capitalism took a big hit in the 1930's it took several years for people to galvanize and for

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-37042965193759577982011-10-16T10:24:00.000-04:002011-10-16T10:24:58.588-04:00

Occupy Wall Street

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-1552488821310309542011-10-16T10:07:00.000-04:002011-10-16T10:07:33.150-04:00

You need to read this article from the New York Times.  The piece explains very well what the big problems are.  Although the article is primarily discussing the American situation, it is not that unlike the place Canadian's find themselves in.   Income inequality has been growing.  The spread between the richest Canadians and the rest of us has grown dramatically since the late 1970's.  From

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-36966550364355666522011-10-16T09:39:00.004-04:002011-10-16T10:10:43.424-04:00

Occupy Toronto looks to have been a success.  3,000 people arrived at the Bay Street address of the stock exchange. Watch live streaming video from occupytoronto at livestream.com People listening to speaker at Occupy Toronto The demonstration was very peaceful, and for the most part police kept back and watched. I know some of the people opposed to the sentiments of the demonstrators

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-248566100764991462011-10-15T07:36:00.002-04:002011-10-15T07:36:39.673-04:00

My good friend but alas political adversary over at IMPOLITICAL takes comfort from a column by Don MacPherson in the Montreal Gazette, Quebec's conservative english language newspaper.  Mac it seems thinks that Brian Topp was trying to build up so much support that Tom Mulcair would whine for a while and then decide not to enter the leadership contest.. The funny part is that if you are a Mac,

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-75496126004384099442011-10-14T19:46:00.001-04:002011-10-14T19:46:22.801-04:00

Is the party over for the Liberals in Canada.  A few writers seem to think so.  And of course Liberals that I know always puzzle me.  They are afraid for the most part of changing things.  The system is working so why rock the boat.  Another thing they seem to be afraid of is unions.  That surprises me even more given that the Liberal party has benefited quite well over the years from union

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-32779814220444270582011-10-14T10:00:00.001-04:002011-10-14T10:00:33.515-04:00

Since 1992 governments have left office providing less money for CBC than when they arrived. This from the friends of public broadcasting and a hat tip to David Akin, is a graph showing funding in 2011 dollars for the CBC. Friends.ca CBC Funding As you can see the funding has generally been declining from 1990, took a big dip from 1994 to 1997.  From 2000 to today CBC has lost about 100

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-77874796631480846232011-10-14T08:02:00.000-04:002011-10-14T08:02:53.202-04:00

Want to protect CBC.  You can sign Bob Rae's petition if it will make you feel good. It can't hurt, it won't help either. Look at the facts as presented by David Akin's recent column.  Neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives have been kind to our beloved CBC. In 1993 the Liberal's infamous red book said this, "A Liberal government will be committed to stable multi-year financing for national

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-46276202309324378692011-10-12T19:08:00.001-04:002011-10-12T19:08:47.875-04:00

I am part of the worldwide movement for social justice that has come together due to the inspiration delivered from the Occupy Wall Street protests.  We are onto something here and it may be our last best chance to effect real change in a peaceful effort.  This is from avaaz.org. Over 500,000 people have joined up in four days.  We need you and your friends to join  and help sustain this effort.

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179600.post-31453723955075851882011-10-12T11:30:00.002-04:002011-10-12T11:30:43.423-04:00

That will be the day... I am annoyed enough that here in Ontario my taxes pay for catholic schools.  That we have four different school boards in some communities.  One for the english and one for the french in the public system and the same in the Catholic system. Schools, public and private have to comply with minimum standards and requirements.   Performance of community service by students

Ricky Barneshttps://profiles.google.com/114169852189471812010noreply@blogger.com1