Just for my American readers, the real Canadian medicare program...
Ok, some Canadians should see this too..
8.28.2009
8.26.2009
Two Fathers
This video made me feel so good. Its been around for a couple of years but carries a message that remains relevant today, especially in the USA. With States continuing to ban gays from adopting children, to gay parents losing custody of their children time for action has never been more imperative.
In Florida, a 33 year old ban has gone to the Miami appeals court.
Now don't get me wrong, I didn't need this information to know gays can be good parents. And now it appears the courts in Florida see it that way. My question is why on earth has the government not repealed this unjust law. That of course is silly of me. The reason is that the Republicans have needed laws like this to keep their base vote together.
Watch the video, it melted my heart...
More here
Florida Ruling Indicates Bans on Gay Adoption Lack Logic and Relevance
and here
In Florida, a 33 year old ban has gone to the Miami appeals court.
In peculiar fashion Florida manages to think it is okay for gays to be foster parents but not adoptive parents. Seems to me that children in the middle of a crisis (Usually why children end up in foster homes) can be adequately and safely placed in the care of gay foster parents, they have the skills and abilities to properly nurture children. They then should be seen as good perspective parents.
The three-judge panel will decide the fate of two half-brothers who say they want to be adopted by the foster father who's raised them since 2004. The foster father, Martin Gill of North Miami, can't adopt under state law because he's gay.
Now don't get me wrong, I didn't need this information to know gays can be good parents. And now it appears the courts in Florida see it that way. My question is why on earth has the government not repealed this unjust law. That of course is silly of me. The reason is that the Republicans have needed laws like this to keep their base vote together.
Watch the video, it melted my heart...
More here
Florida Ruling Indicates Bans on Gay Adoption Lack Logic and Relevance
and here
Senators roster grows by Eight
Harper is poised to announce eight new senators on Thursday. Harper will appoint Conservative national campaign chief Doug Finley, Don Plett, president of Conservative Party and loyal staffer Carolyn Stewart-Olsen. See can west.
The appointments were to be made today, however were held off as the PMO did not want to be accused of trying to bury the story on a big news day, Senator Ted Kennedy taking up the airspace.
I suspect the Conservatives had another worry in mind rather than that feeble excuse. They were concerned that The Prime Minister would be appointing eight unelected senators on the very day one of the greatest "elected" senators in the US died. It would have so ironic.
There is speculation Ontario's Bob Runciman, Quebec's Judith Siedman and Nova Scotia's Rodney MacDonald also will appointed. See Twitter.
The appointments were to be made today, however were held off as the PMO did not want to be accused of trying to bury the story on a big news day, Senator Ted Kennedy taking up the airspace.
I suspect the Conservatives had another worry in mind rather than that feeble excuse. They were concerned that The Prime Minister would be appointing eight unelected senators on the very day one of the greatest "elected" senators in the US died. It would have so ironic.
There is speculation Ontario's Bob Runciman, Quebec's Judith Siedman and Nova Scotia's Rodney MacDonald also will appointed. See Twitter.
Grand pappy of Liberal campaigns has a dream
Perhaps they are only having some fun...
...or the LPC (that's Liberal Party of Canada) is so desperate to convert NDP supporters to their cause they have to manufacture stuff they dream of happening... Mouseville has a good run at those pesky white cats here.
We all know some LPC bloggers don't mind making stuff up, leave it to the grand pappy of Liberal campaigns to dream this one up.
...or the LPC (that's Liberal Party of Canada) is so desperate to convert NDP supporters to their cause they have to manufacture stuff they dream of happening... Mouseville has a good run at those pesky white cats here.
We all know some LPC bloggers don't mind making stuff up, leave it to the grand pappy of Liberal campaigns to dream this one up.
LPC blogger tells part of the story
This is produced by a LPC party blogger. Its bang on. Under Stephen Harper thousands of Canadians have seen the loss of the jobs and have had to resort to EI.
Watch the vid...
I can't disagree with the video in any way. That ad could be produced by the NDP or the BLOC. It wasn't though. It was a federal Liberal that did this. The ad is truthful, raising the issue of the need for jobs and EI during the wait to get a job.
This is where the Liberal spin comes in. Its what you don't see in the video thats troubling. In the spring, the Liberals (LPC) decided to support the Harper budget after they extracted an agreement from said Harper to study changes to EI. In the interim and even prior to the agreement to study this issue of EI reform, thousands of Canadians have exhausted their EI coverage. That is especially true here in Ontario. Thousands more will run out of EI in the near future.
While provincial Premiers and the NDP were demanding changes to EI, the LPC and Conservatives have dithered, choosing to study the problem that's eating at the roots of Canada's social safety net. By the time they're finished I am guessing the solution will be watered down or no agreement will be found.
No agreement in EI changes should trigger a vote of non confidence. Don't hold your breath on that one. The LPC has had 79 chances to vote non confidence in the Harper government. Ignatieff it is time for you to step it up a notch.
Watch the vid...
I can't disagree with the video in any way. That ad could be produced by the NDP or the BLOC. It wasn't though. It was a federal Liberal that did this. The ad is truthful, raising the issue of the need for jobs and EI during the wait to get a job.
This is where the Liberal spin comes in. Its what you don't see in the video thats troubling. In the spring, the Liberals (LPC) decided to support the Harper budget after they extracted an agreement from said Harper to study changes to EI. In the interim and even prior to the agreement to study this issue of EI reform, thousands of Canadians have exhausted their EI coverage. That is especially true here in Ontario. Thousands more will run out of EI in the near future.
While provincial Premiers and the NDP were demanding changes to EI, the LPC and Conservatives have dithered, choosing to study the problem that's eating at the roots of Canada's social safety net. By the time they're finished I am guessing the solution will be watered down or no agreement will be found.
No agreement in EI changes should trigger a vote of non confidence. Don't hold your breath on that one. The LPC has had 79 chances to vote non confidence in the Harper government. Ignatieff it is time for you to step it up a notch.
Just how dangerous is a Harper Government
There are many examples to choose from. Most think that having a minority government means that there is a counter weight called the opposition to keep a government in line. That has not been what has happened during the successive Harper minority governments.
Here are just a few short examples of how decisions can be made by any government including a minority one when you have a fractured opposition.
The House of Commons voted in the majority to support and NDP motion to allow US Armed Forces deserters sanctuary in Canada. The Harper government has simply ignored the motion passed by Parliament and forced the extradition of American deserters back to the USA.
Omar Ahmed Khadr remains prisoner in Gitmo, the only person from a western country (Canada) to remain in US custody. This despite a Supreme Court ruling telling the Harper Government to make efforts to re-patriot Khadr.
Several Canadians remain in US prisons after being convicted of crimes in that country. In most instances for the last 20 years the Canadian government has allowed them to serve their sentence in a Canadian prison, closer to family and community. Harper and his government has refused, even after the Americans have approved such transfers.
In the same vein, Canada has long held a position of being opposed to the death penalty. The death penalty was removed long ago in Canada, yet the Harper government has chosen not to intervene in the cases of several Canadians facing the death penalty in the US.
Funding for so called "progressive" health issues has been cut and or spent and the resulting work held up on the PM's desk. The federal government has refused to allow an HIV prevention campaign to be launched since 2007 because it is not the kind of campaign they would a approve of. They didn't say anything to the group developing the campaign, they kept the finished product from being used after spending 10's of thousands of dollars developing it.
If that is not enough, then lets look at water on First Nations in Canada. Its abysmal. At any one time there are 80 to 180 boil water advisories in First Nation communities in Canada. If that were happening in 'white' dominated communities all hell would break loose. When several deaths occurred in Walkerton Ontario due to e-coli in the water, the whole system of ensuring safe drinking water was overhauled as it should have been.
Next we have the H1N1 virus, known to most as the swine flu. This has been particularily harsh in First Nation communities due to overcrowded living conditions, unsafe drinking water and a lack of adequate health care.
Lastly though not all, we have the Children of Attawapiskat. They have been denied a new school after their old school was declared unfit.
Okay, can there be any other reason that the Harper government has done nothing for the Children of Attawap
iskat than overt discrimination.
This is one of the old fights in this country. First Nations students are required to attend school just like all other children in Canada. Canadian children in general get very good education. Education is always considered a priority for provincial and federal governments.
Delivery of quality education is a priority for everyone except First Nation Students in Canada. At least that is the message being delivered by the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs, Chuck Strahl. In fact several Ministers in the last few years have promised a new school. Not one of those Ministers have delivered on a school to date.
Yet in 2007, then Minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice announced the funding was there for the school. In December of 2007 in walks Chuck Strahl. He cancels the funding. The Harper Government says it will cost too much due to the rising cost of construction.
The government resorted to have civil servants respond to the issue. Listen to this employee of the Ministry of Indian Affairs try to defuse the bomb loaded by his boss, Chuck Strahl.
That was incredible. This Civil Servant is either scared for his job or between a rock and a hard place and thus has chosen to cast himself as a complete idiot to keep his job. He is a hired gun and it appears the civil service has decided to simply acquiesce.
There is little excuse for doing nothing. Yet when an MP, Charlie Angus sees that a school is needed it is portrayed by one government member as grand standing and as a sign that that member is choosing 'Indians' over white kids. The attack is that simple. See here.
I ask you to imagine a Canada with a Steven Harper majority. Is that the kind of Canada you want? In fact is a Steven Harper minority worth propping up for any reason? Look what he has managed to do while in office. Does he reflect your values?
I suspect most of you reading this will agree with me. Harper has to go and go soon. Now if the LPC will just stop being so self interested, ie waiting for just the right polling, and get out there like the NDP and stand for something. Together either in a coalition or in propping up a new government, they can undo a lot of whats wrong in Steven Harper's Canada!
Here are just a few short examples of how decisions can be made by any government including a minority one when you have a fractured opposition.
The House of Commons voted in the majority to support and NDP motion to allow US Armed Forces deserters sanctuary in Canada. The Harper government has simply ignored the motion passed by Parliament and forced the extradition of American deserters back to the USA.
Omar Ahmed Khadr remains prisoner in Gitmo, the only person from a western country (Canada) to remain in US custody. This despite a Supreme Court ruling telling the Harper Government to make efforts to re-patriot Khadr.
Several Canadians remain in US prisons after being convicted of crimes in that country. In most instances for the last 20 years the Canadian government has allowed them to serve their sentence in a Canadian prison, closer to family and community. Harper and his government has refused, even after the Americans have approved such transfers.
In the same vein, Canada has long held a position of being opposed to the death penalty. The death penalty was removed long ago in Canada, yet the Harper government has chosen not to intervene in the cases of several Canadians facing the death penalty in the US.
Funding for so called "progressive" health issues has been cut and or spent and the resulting work held up on the PM's desk. The federal government has refused to allow an HIV prevention campaign to be launched since 2007 because it is not the kind of campaign they would a approve of. They didn't say anything to the group developing the campaign, they kept the finished product from being used after spending 10's of thousands of dollars developing it.
If that is not enough, then lets look at water on First Nations in Canada. Its abysmal. At any one time there are 80 to 180 boil water advisories in First Nation communities in Canada. If that were happening in 'white' dominated communities all hell would break loose. When several deaths occurred in Walkerton Ontario due to e-coli in the water, the whole system of ensuring safe drinking water was overhauled as it should have been.
Next we have the H1N1 virus, known to most as the swine flu. This has been particularily harsh in First Nation communities due to overcrowded living conditions, unsafe drinking water and a lack of adequate health care.
Lastly though not all, we have the Children of Attawapiskat. They have been denied a new school after their old school was declared unfit.
Okay, can there be any other reason that the Harper government has done nothing for the Children of Attawap
iskat than overt discrimination.This is one of the old fights in this country. First Nations students are required to attend school just like all other children in Canada. Canadian children in general get very good education. Education is always considered a priority for provincial and federal governments.
Delivery of quality education is a priority for everyone except First Nation Students in Canada. At least that is the message being delivered by the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs, Chuck Strahl. In fact several Ministers in the last few years have promised a new school. Not one of those Ministers have delivered on a school to date.
Yet in 2007, then Minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice announced the funding was there for the school. In December of 2007 in walks Chuck Strahl. He cancels the funding. The Harper Government says it will cost too much due to the rising cost of construction.
The government resorted to have civil servants respond to the issue. Listen to this employee of the Ministry of Indian Affairs try to defuse the bomb loaded by his boss, Chuck Strahl.
That was incredible. This Civil Servant is either scared for his job or between a rock and a hard place and thus has chosen to cast himself as a complete idiot to keep his job. He is a hired gun and it appears the civil service has decided to simply acquiesce.
There is little excuse for doing nothing. Yet when an MP, Charlie Angus sees that a school is needed it is portrayed by one government member as grand standing and as a sign that that member is choosing 'Indians' over white kids. The attack is that simple. See here.
I ask you to imagine a Canada with a Steven Harper majority. Is that the kind of Canada you want? In fact is a Steven Harper minority worth propping up for any reason? Look what he has managed to do while in office. Does he reflect your values?
I suspect most of you reading this will agree with me. Harper has to go and go soon. Now if the LPC will just stop being so self interested, ie waiting for just the right polling, and get out there like the NDP and stand for something. Together either in a coalition or in propping up a new government, they can undo a lot of whats wrong in Steven Harper's Canada!
8.21.2009
Tornado 39 years ago in Sudbury
Tornado 39 years ago in Sudbury
As amazing has this might be, on August 20, 39 years ago a Tornado swept through Sudbury, Lively and Field Ontario, killing six people and injuring over 200 more. A total of 17 million dollars in damage was done.
Here is a link to the CBC Archive video of the aftermath. When you click on the link it will take you to the CBC archives and start playing.
We are Non-dispensational, except for Homos
We are Non-dispensational, except for Homos
They should be dispatched...
I'm not sure if I can actually post this material in Canada. I feel queasy about doing it. I decided you needed to
hear this. If you are in the USA, this guy could be your neighbour. Especially if you are in Tempe AZ.This family is growing up to hate others. This man is a Father,
someone who is entrusted with nurturing, protecting and introducing these children to the world.Baptist preacher Steven L. Anderson can be found here on the web. Ironically he is from Arizona, the same state that allows people to carry semi automatic rifles designed to kill people.
The audio below is very offensive, do not listen if you find extreme homophobia even mildly offends you.
You can find more of his deplorable speech here.
And if those sermons don't get you, look at the Doctrinal Statement.
H/T to Good as You ( not according to the good pastor you're not!)
note: i distorted the faces of these kids, though the pastor has them on full display on his website.
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