Michael's Still Flip Floppin

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff dismissed as "nonsense" Monday a government minister's assertion that it would be irresponsible to have a fall election.

At the same time, Ignatieff was noncommittal about which way he's leaning, saying he is about to consult his parliamentary caucus and will make a "serene decision" based on the country's best interest.

Isn't that typical Michael Ignatieff. He says it wouldn't be irresponsible to have an election but he can't say if he will call one and if he does it will be based on the country's best interest. Anybody who thinks that going to the polls for the second time in under a year and wasting millions of taxpayers money has to be irresponsible at best.
Ignatieff dismissed Transport Minister John Baird's assertion at an Ottawa news conference that the Liberals would hold up federal infrastructure funds vital to the economic recovery if they plunge the country into a trip to the polls.
"With the greatest respect, that's a piece of nonsense," Ignatieff told reporters. "For a guy who hasn't flowed the infrastructure to now claim the infrastructure won't flow if we have an election is just tying himself in knots."

Sp Michael flips and Michael flops. Reporters chase him with microphones and pencils in hand and nothing ever changes.

Except that in a few weeks Michael will tell us that he is again thinking about bringing down the government and having an election. Yawn, Michael, somethings never change.

Chewing Up The Quarterback

Darian Durant might be pleased to know that the rabid Saskatchewan RoughRider nation and their sportswriters are not the only ones that regularly eat the quarterback. Durant has constantly heard that he is not the quarterback the Riders need to get to the Grey Cup despite the fact that he sports a pretty good record and that the Riders are right in the pack looking for first place and of course with it the home playoff advantage.
I stopped in at the Bills facility in Buffalo, New York. There the bills are trying to become a contender. Most notable among their signings this year has been wide receiver Terrell Owens. But also signed was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick who comes over from the Cincinatti Bengals. The number one quarterback in Buffalo is Trent Edwards and there the grumbling begins and it sounds almost like Saskatchewan except perhaps a little harsher.
One sports writer wrote that Edwards doesn't know the difference between a football and a foot stool. Now thats a little harsh.
And if you read the sports blogs, the theme almost mirrors Saskatchewan. Edwards is good, but not enough leadership ability some say, others question is ability to call the game and on and on it goes. Critics, whether paid or unpaid, come with the territory of course but it does draw some similarity to Saskatchewan. Keeps me from getting homesick I guess.
I also stopped in at the University of Buffalo football facility, home of the Bulls. What a gorgeous facility. I think most teams in the CFL would love to have a facility like that. I have posted a couple of pictures that really don't even show how nice it is.
Some thoughts on last week in the CFL. Edmonton squeaked out a 31 - 30 win over Hamilton and Calgary got past Toronto
23 - 20 Nice to see the West topping the East again.
So Edmonton sits on top with ten points, Saskatchewan and Calgary with eight and BC with six.
The Riders now start a home and home with Michael Bishop and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Now that will be interesting

To Hell With the Third Quarter

They are calling it a moral victory, a message sent to the rest of the league that the Saskatchewan RoughRiders are a force to be reckoned with. The only problem is the Montreal Alouettes won the game 34 - 25 over the Riders.
Now the Riders did play a good game, not great. If it had been great they would have emerged with the two points rather than Montreal.
The old third quarter nemesis came back to haunt the Riders again. Only seven points have been scored by the Riders in
eight games this year, a big reason for their 4 wins 4 loss record. Head Coach Ken Miller was irritated when that was pointed out and said something to the like of "To hell with the third quarter. These men played their fannies off and sent a message to the rest of the league. Agreed, to a point.
Two big plays came back to bite the Riders. First three plays from the one yard line and not points scored. Three times the
Riders tried to go up the middle and the Als just stuffed the middle and kept the Riders out of the end zone. That up yer middle play is so predictable, why didn't the Riders try something else. The Al's simply said, we know you're going up the middle.
We'll just stuff the hole and stuff it they did.
The other play was of course the punt returned for a touchdown. Special teams letting the Riders down yet again.
And then of course the third quarter. But to hell with the third quarter, these men played their fannies off.

In the other game the Winnipeg Blue Bombers found a running game and smoked poor old Wally and his British Columbia
Lions 37 - 10.
That now sets up back to back games with Saskatchewan playing Winnipeg and Michael Bishop now quarterbacking the
Bombers. Wouldn't Bishop love to take a pair of games from his old team mates and send a message to the Rider Nation.
If the Riders are going anywhere this season, they need to win both games. The pattern of win one, lose one isn't going to take them anywhere.
Edmonton seems to be rolling, Calgary will get it together. Who knows what's going on in BC these days but the Riders need to win a few and distance themselves from the Lions and still keep hopes for top spot this season going.

You Dirty Rat

In the beginning it was funny or a novelty, but at this point, people are getting very angry that the city hasn't shown more leadership," said resident Don Robinson.

"We have had reports of rat bitings. We had a report of a person bit by a rat in their own bed. That's just disgusting, when you start thinking about that," Robinson said.

Yuk. Even the thought of those things (rats) makes me queasy and I'm not easily grossed out. But rats. That is a different story.
I grew up in Alberta. Supposedly we didn't have those things there and in numerous trips to two different Uncles farms, I can never recall seeing a rat. I think the first one I saw was on a farm in Manitoba and I kept my distance.

But now the little varmits are in the city of Swift Current and people are not happy about it.
Residents say that for the past two months, there's been a flood of the furry rodents, with numerous sightings around businesses and homes.
The Living Sky Casino has told guards to watch out for rats making a dash for the entrances.
The infestation has been keeping Kim Selanders of Orkin Pest Control very busy.
Homeowners need to keep their yards clean so there's no place for the rodents to build their nests, he said.
Concerned, yes. Worried, no. As long as they keep their properties clean and don't give the rats any reason to be there," he said. "They might see them, there's no way they'll stay."
Not sure what this will do for tourism. But hopefully the city will get on this quickly amid the usual calls that they are not doing enough.
One report said the rats are unusually thirsty and the foray into the city has to do with them looking for water.
One thing I do know. Once they come, they often stay so good luck to Swift Current on this one.

CFL: No Happiness in Bomberville

"Just read the (bleepin') play card," screams Bomber head coach Mike Kelly during Wednesday's workout. "(Blankety-blank) how hard can it be?"

Its seems the only bombs being dropped in Winnipeg these days are F Bombs from the mouth of their frustrated coach. Bomber fans, the sports people and now apparently even the head coach have become frustrated by the Bombers anemic offense.
The Bombers head into a quiet CFL week by going to Vancouver to face the Lions.
Winnipeg has made some changes starting with even the coaching personell.
Manny Matsakis steps up to help coach the offense supposedly taking the pressure off of Kelly. Quarterback Stefan Lefors has been all but forgotten except for the Bomber payroll department. Lefors, only four or five games ago, had been Kelly's handpicked choice of quarterback. Remember goodbye to Kevin Glenn and Ryan Dinwiddie. Michael Bishop, last quarterback to be shown the door in Saskatchewan, is now the man while the payroll department of the Bombers inflicted a sixty thousand dollar per year pay cut on Lefors. Lefors took it well saying he felt like he had a gun held to his head. So this week its the Bombers and Lions with the Lions surging and the Bombers sagging.
Elsewhere the Saskatchewan RoughRiders visit Montreal and the almost unbeatable
Anthony Cavillo. Things are pretty upbeat in Rider nation following the win over Hamilton. Amazing isn't it, how good a week can be following a win. Can you imagine what would have happened in Riderville had the RoughRiders not come back with the win after blowing a 23 - 0 lead and then winning 33 - 23.
This week almost everyone seems happy with the quarterbacking situation (now theres a rarity in Saskatchewan) including the two quarterbacks.
Darian Durant will start. Stephen Jyles will be ready to come in and help out and I am assuming that if he (Jyles) does get yanked, Durant will have the opportunity to come back in.
Predictions for the short bye week.
BC over Winnipeg - frankly the Bombers stink.
Montreal over Saskatchewan - I would love this to go the other way but.
1) Montreal is at home
2) Montreal has Anthony Cavillo
3) Montreal has an adequate run game
4) Montreal has experience all over
But the big factor that might work in the Riders favor.
Saskatchewan has a keep working, never quit attitude. Lets hope thats enough to
stop the Alouettes.

A Crisis Boiling Point In Saskatoon

Whether or not there is a problem with taxi service at the Saskatoon Airport all depends on who you listen to.
City Councillor Pat Lorje says its "a crisis boiling point". She adds "the situation is officially disastrous".
The Saskatoon Airport Authority says the criticism is unfounded. Officially there is no problem.
Now I don't do a lot of flying and the three or four times I do each year, I try to have someone pick me up at the airport.
However two months ago I did take a cab ride home. I stood in line for almost 45 minutes before finally being placed in a taxi.
In front of me were numerous confused people waiting as well. Taxi drivers themselves seemed to be doing what little co-ordinating there was trying to double up passengers and determine who was going where.
The next time I flew it was a little better with a lady co-ordinator with a hand held radio trying to keep things organized.
The wait time was slightly better but still not good.
Its seems the experience of two city councillors has been much the same as mine and consequently the story has hit the front page of the newspaper.
Apparently there are two or three taxi companies in Saskatoon. One was recently awarded a ten year contract to service the
Saskatoon airport from the Saskatoon Airport Authority. Rumors abound that the company that has the contract recently lost about fifty drivers to a newly formed taxi company and hence the problem.
No wait the Saskatoon Airport Authority says there is no problem. So why does a contract get awarded to one company over another? Would not the citizens and more importantly the visitors to Saskatoon be better served if all taxi companies could service the airport. It used to be that cab companies would form a line up, one behind the other, and waiting fares would take the first one and everyone was served.
I presume its all about money in awarding a contract to one company over another. And as everyone knows money is going to trump passenger comfort everytime. Even when the visitors and tourists to the city stand in a "crisis boiling point" that really is "officially disastrous".

Will He? Won't He?

Here we go again. A report in a Quebec newspaper says the Liberals and their, yes I will, no I won't, well maybe I might,
Leader Michael Ignatieff are on the verge of pulling the rug out from under Stephen Harper and the Conservative government.
The report says late in September, Michael Ignatieff, will bring down the Government setting the stage for a November election.
A spokesman for the Liberals calls the article "pure speculation" however it is agreed that Liberal observers are concerned with their image of supporting and propping up the Conservatives.
Across the country most analysts agree there is little appetite for an election and little need for one. However the appetite may be on the part of the power hungry Liberals. Not used to being shut out of power some sources say the Liberals have tired of sitting on the sidelines and feel the time is right to move for Government.

Swine Flu May Change Campaigning

Politicians have long been know for their handshakes. Meeting people, greeting people, most of that done in an election campaign where the political hopefuls main street, kiss babies, shake hands and make promises most of which are never kept.
But now all that may change, well at least the hand shaking part may change if political leaders follow one Quebec mayor's lead.
Quebec politician avoids handshakes for fear of spreading H1N1A Quebec mayor will avoid handshakes — one of a politician's favourite tools — to curb the spread of the H1N1 virus during municipal elections this fall.
Public health authorities are bracing for a more virulent outbreak of H1N1 later this year, and the mayor of the municipality of L'Ancienne-Lorette, just outside Quebec City, is taking the threat seriously and banning handshakes in his campaign.
"On the campaign trail, you meet tens of people every day. By avoiding to shake hands, we want to protect the health of our citizens," said Emile Loranger.
Municipal elections will be held in 1,100 cities and towns across Quebec on Nov. 1, at the onset of the flu season.
Will this spread to federal and provincial elections? Well nobody knows for sure but it may give people a legitimate reason to
avoid politicians.

CFL Thoughts - Week Seven

Its being billed as "The Great Escape". The Saskatchewan RoughRiders take a 23 - 0 lead on the Hamilton TigerCats, allow the Cats to tie it up all on third quarter points, and then score then themselves to post a 33 - 23 win and grab a share of first place with the Edmonton Eskimos.
The Riders may have made CFL history in the process allowing absolutely no first downs in the first half and holding the TigerCats to negative yardage. Whether the Riders went to sleep in the third quarter or the TigerCats woke up is debatable but the important factor is the win and two valuable points. Along the way quarterback Darian Durant looked pretty good and if he can have another good outing against Montreal Friday night, he could perhaps silence his critics.
Ask Henry Burris how important statistics are. Burris went 30 for 45 for 479 yards but lost to the Edmonton Eskimos 38 - 35.
That brought about the comment from General Manager and Coach John Hufnagel something about time to take the training wheels off. Not sure to whom that comment was intended. The training wheels are off. We should be able to execute our assignments in a manner in which we win football games,” added Hufnagel. “We knew it would be a physical game, a high-scoring game and that it would likely be decided in the fourth quarter. And that the teams that made the plays in the fourth quarter would win the game. We made some plays, no question about it. But the bottom line is, who makes the most plays at the end to win, and we came up short.”
BC Lions stayed with the pack coming from way behind to defeat Toronto 36 - 28 while Montreal whipped Mike Kelly's Winnipeg Blue Bombers 39 - 12. Things are not rosy in Bomber land. Kelly serves as head coach, offensive coach, quarterback coach and almost anything else and there are rumors the Bombers will be looking to hire him some help. There are also many complaints about the Bombers offense to which Kelly says. There's nothing wrong with this scheme. I've seen it work 1,000 times," said Kelly, when asked after Saturday night's debacle if it was time to tinker with the game plan. "We have to catch the football. We have to block when we're supposed to block. Catch when we're supposed to catch and throw to where we're supposed to throw. Right now we're not doing those things. We'll continue to look at it and we have to execute better."
Next week its
Saskatchewan at Montreal - tough assignment for the Riders.
Winnipeg at British Columbia
The other four teams take a bye.
Western Standings
Edmonton 4 - 3
Saskatchewan 4 - 3
Calgary 3 - 4
BC 3 - 4

NDP Convention: Same Old, Same Old

Former federal leader Ed Broadbent exhorted delegates Friday to keep fighting for the party's old social democratic values, including adequate taxation, so economic wealth can be shared among all Canadians.
Sounds pretty much like the same old, same old for the NDP's national convention in Halifax.
The proposed name change didn't come about. We heard a lot about that leading up to the convention but in the end the name change idea fizzled and died.
There wasn't enough appetite for change," said Ian Capstick, a former NDP staff member in leader Jack Layton's office, who is attending the convention as a delegate and political consultant. Capstick and others in the party, such as Ottawa MP Paul Dewar, had advocated a name change as a way of signalling to both party members and voters that the NDP was embarking on a new era of pragmatism and professionalism.
So the New Democrats are still, well the Old Democrats in more ways than one. Earlier in the convention, party heavyweights, such as former leaders Ed Broadbent and Alexa McDonough, and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, all said a name change was unnecessary. Also Sunday, 89 per cent of delegates voted down a motion, required at every convention, to review Layton's leadership. And in three days of policy debate, most delegates sided with Broadbent. They spent hours discussing and affirming dozens of well-worn NDP concerns, including child poverty, aboriginal rights, pay equity, national child care, violence against women and arts funding.
So Jack Layton continues to lead the NDP with it appears plenty of assistance from Ed Broadbent . Little wonder Prime Minster Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff consider the NDP party irrelevant.

One Shot At A Second Chance

The Philadelphia Eagles bravely went where no other National Football League team dared to go when they signed quarterback Michael Vick to a one year deal. Although some interest had been expressed by other teams the Eagles were the ones to get the deal done and good for them for doing it.
Now I am not condoning anything that Vick, the convicted dog fighting ring leader did, and I love dogs but Vick did the time and now its time to give him a second chance.
There are many that do not agree and if they had their way Vick would never play again and probably would be likely if he could land a job anywhere.
But consider the following:
1) Vick paid his time. Some 18 months in prison followed by probation. I am always amazed when those who have paid their debt to society, sex offenders and murderers perhaps excluded, are not allowed to pick up their lives where they can when they get out of jail. What purpose could possibly be served by keeping Vick on the sidelines?
2) Vick has paid financially. A couple of years missed in the National Football League at the height of his career. How many dollars did that cost him.
3) This same National Football League welcomes back convicted sex offenders, drug offenders and others so as barbaric and
cruel as dog fighting is, the man has paid for his crime. How can the NFL rule that Vick's crime is any worse than the above listed even though it did outrage millions of animal lovers, myself included.
The man himself sums it up best.“I think everybody deserves a second chance,” Vick said. “I think as long as you are willing to come back and do it the right way and do the right things and that you’re committed, then I think you deserve it. But you only get one shot at a second chance, and I am conscious of that.
One shot at a second chance. Here's hoping Michael Vick takes that one shot, that second chance and makes it work with the Philadelphia Eagles. He will never silence his critics and might be well served to remember.
Its going to be hard to soar like an Eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys.

The Airshow in Edmonton

Its was an old fashioned shootout in Edmonton last night and when it was all over quarterbacks Ricky Ray of the Eskimos and Henry Burris Calgary Stampeders had put more footballs in the air than the Saskatchewan RoughRiders do in a season.
Burris, in a losing cause, 30 for 45 for 479 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions but on then wrong end of a 38 - 35 Edmonton win. Ray, 28 for 37 for 342 yards and three touchdowns. And with only nine seconds left in the game, Ray hits Fred Stamps for the winning touchdown. The result moves Edmonton to the top of the standings at 4 - 3 while Calgary drops to
3 - 4. BC Lions visit Toronto tonight and can also improve to 3 - 4.
Calgary coach John Hufnagel's comment on the loss.
On the last one, we tried to do the safe thing by doing the pooch kick, and they still got a good return. We have to be better," Hufnagel said.
On Sunday the Riders get a chance to move into a tie with Edmonton when they host the surprising Hamilton TigerCats who come in a 4 - 2. The Tabbies are pussies no more. Quinton Porter has found his stride as quarterback and the defense is strong.
Riders will be tested again in stopping the run.
Meantime not much has been said this week about the Riders quarterbacking situation. Its a given that Darian Durant will start.
How long he stays appears to pretty much dependent on how he plays. Jyles will come in as the back up and apparently how long he stays in is pretty much dependent on how he plays. Seems like an odd way to run a football game. No clear choice as number one and really no clear choice as number two. Will a quarterback please step up?

Don't Bring Your Guns To Town Grandma

"The front desk personnel realized what (the grenade) was and took it out of the building and we called our Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) to attend," he said.
He said the woman had no idea if the grenade was live or how old it was but she said the vintage handguns were from the Boer War.
That was the reaction from Regina Police after a lady in her late eighties walked into the Police Service building with a couple of guns in a box and a hand grenade.
The biggest message we want to get across to the public is that, if you come across those types of items, give us a phone call, we'll attend to your residence. We'll make an assessment for you and we'll assist you in disposing of those items safely," said Staff Sgt Darcy Koch. "It's always some type of concern when you start to drive around the city with those type of things and start to carry them around because you just never know."
The old Kenny Rogers song comes to mind "
Don't bring your guns to town Grandma
Leave your guns at home Grandma

We didn't evacuate our building. We didn't have to. We made sure there was no traffic, pedestrian or vehicle traffic on the street," said Koch.
Buildings near the police headquarters were also not evacuated. He said the Saskatchewan Transportation Corporation (STC) bus depot is located across the street from the police building on Osler street and it experienced minor disruptions in its service.
All ended well and the grenade was taken away and was likely blown up causing no harm to anyone and we assume Grandma had a very interesting day and perhaps some letter writing to do.

"Conservation" Officers Blast Away Bears

A week ago and ending Monday in $16,000 in fines, we heard Ducks Unlimited, wildlife officials and others, tell us about the evils of shooting ducks, loons and ducklings and what happens when you do. It was called, among other things, a waste of wildlife,
cruel, barbaric and numerous other names.
Apparently that random waste and barbarism does not extend to the "Conservation" officers themselves. Here's the latest headline from the Edmonton Journal.

Officers 'massacre' 12 bears at northern Alberta landfill

Official defends decision to shoot scavengers at landfill
"The landfill had improper fencing and there were reports people were feeding the bears," Alberta Sustainable Resource Development spokesman Darcy Whiteside said.
"It was public safety concern. These bears were not afraid of humans anymore."
SO WHY NOT FIX THE FENCES

"Instead of investing in fences that would keep the bears out of the garbage and away from humans, they decide the cheapest solution is to lay to waste a bunch of living animals as if they didn't have a right to exist. It's really deplorable," said Sid Marty, a park warden turned activist who recently published a book about a garbage-seeking grizzly that mauled five people in Banff in the early 1980s, killing one.
So how long have bears been coming to dumps? I can remember going to Banff and Jasper as a kid with my parents. What was one of the first things we did? We drove out to the dump to see the bears. We stayed in the car. We watched the bears. No-one got hurt and it was an enjoyable time.
So how long have these bears been coming to this particular dump? How many people were in danger? Why couldn't have fences been built to separate bears from people? There had to be a better solution than this.
A Conklin resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was outraged when he heard the bears were killed instead of relocated. He contacted The Journal.
"It's totally inhumane. We are in their environment, there are no fences, this dump is unmanned, there are no signs to say don't feed the bears ... and everybody goes there to watch them because there's nothing to do up here," he said.
"We are inviting these bears to their death. It's just a total waste. It's a massacre."

Riders Quarterback Menu

The only real certainty surrounding this weekends visit of the Hamilton Tiger Cats to Saskatchewan is which, or how many perhaps, Rider quarterbacks will be on the menu.
Without doubt Darian Durant will start. From that point on the questions begin? How long will he stay in? Will coach Ken Miller go back to his rotating quarterback scheme. It worked against Calgary. Not so much against BC.
Stephen Jyles got his opportunity to come into the game when Durant sputtered and stalled and really didn't get much done.
This week we have heard that Durant's confidence is beginning to suffer. Not being able to know how long you are going to stay in the game and how many chances you are going to get has to be tough on the confidence. On the other hand not moving the ball and suffering defeat and then facing the wrath of the Rider nation can't be a picnic either.
As long as I can remember, and thats many years, Rider fans expect much from their quarterbacks. Rookie quarterbacks don't get much of a chance here and well a few veterans have been constant targets of the boo birds as well.
What is it now? Three Grey Cups in the entire history of the RoughRiders? Maybe thats part of the problem. Needed a quarterback who will instantly deliver a winner and get a dynasty going. Don't hold your breath.
In the meantime Darian starts, kind of like an appetizer, Jyles waits hoping he can be both the main course and the dessert and the Rider Nation continues to grumble.

Rider Loss: Blame Grant Devine

The Canadian Football League admitted this week that its officials made a mistake that may have cost the Saskatchewan RoughRiders the game in their loss to the British Columbia Lions.
The play in question was the weird Lion touchdown just before the half. The CFL says a Lion player was ahead of the ball and
therefore the play and the touchdown should not have been allowed.
The CFL was quick to put the blame on Rider coach Ken Miller saying if Miller had thrown a challenge flag, the play would have been overturned. Miller was quick to blame his spotters saying they told him the play was legitimate. The spotter meanwhile blamed former Premier Grant Devine saying the province wouldn't be in such a mess if it wasn't for him.
Meanwhile in a move to help the elder statesman coaches of the league, ie Miller and Wally Buono, the league has hired a flag girl. The flag girls job will be to get the older coaches attention and remind them that maybe they should throw the challenge flag. The first flag girl comes from the Nascar circuit but says she always felt her assets were more suited to football.
In other developments rumors persist that quarterback Darian Durant's confidence has been shattered. Durant is finding out what countless other Saskatchewan quarterbacks, Lancaster, Austin, Burgess, Crandall, Joseph. Glenn and more already knew.
RoughRider fans are mean to the quarterback. If you win, you get the blame for something, if you lose, you are to blame.
Unconfirmed reports say Durant is having special sessions as he gets ready for the Hamilton TigerCats this weekend.
So week seven has:
Calgary at Edmonton
British Columbia at Toronto
Montreal at Winnipeg
Hamilton at Saskatchewan
My picks: Calgary over Edmonton, British Columbia over Toronto, Montreal over Winnipeg and Hamilton over Saskatchewan.
Sorry folks too much uncertainty around the quarterback position, a strong Hamilton offense and a leaky Rider run defense spells trouble.

NDP Convention In Halifax

I invite you to join me - and thousands of New Democrats from across Canada - in Halifax this August. Together we’ll build our Party and lay the foundation for winning the next election.
With a Prime Minister who’s not sure how to handle this economic crisis, everyday Canadians are relying on New Democrats for leadership that will put them first.
This is your chance to make a real difference.
Canada can come out of this crisis stronger, greener and more prosperous than ever. But we have much work to do. I’m counting on you for all your ideas and your energy to help get us there.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and start building the Canada we want – one where the middle-class and the most vulnerable aren’t left behind.
I’ll see you in Halifax.

Jack Layton

Five major items top the NDP Agenda
1) Can a Jack Layton led NDP Party ever win a federal election in Canada?
2) Should we change the name of the Party? Here's an earth shattering move
Drop the new. Call us Democrats.
3) Can a Jack Layton led NDP Party ever win an election in Canada?
4) Can a Jack Layton led NDP Party ever win an election in Canada?
5) Can we get rid of Jack Layton?

Sask MLA's - They fly - you pay

Saskatchewan MLA's Head to Conference in Kansas
Members of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly representing both the Government and Opposition is attending the 64th annual meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference this week in Overland Park, Kansas.

I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
They got a crazy way of loving there
And I'm gonna get me some.

Well I might take a train
I might take a plane,
The Saskatchewan taxpayers are gonna pay, just the same
I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come
They got a crazy way of loving there
And I'm gonna get me some.

Judge: Head Under Water Or Right Call

What happens when ducks fly upside down. They quack up.
Sorry I shouldn't make a joke about this. The fact that Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest posted a video of themselves committing an illegal crime on UTube where upwards of 85,000 people could view is joke enough.
Thousands and thousands of people are deeply offended by the actions of three stupid duck poachers from Cudworth. Many more feel the Judge was not harsh enough and let them off lightly while many others feel the Judge went way to hard. So to say this is a controversial issue is an understatement.
To review.
The judge levied fines of five thousand dollars against all three men and an extra thousand to the one who fired a gun out the window of a car. Fines could have amounted to much higher, believe it or not going as high as three hundred thousand dollars for each offense. In addition their rifles were taken away (thats a good thing) and their video equipment was also confiscated.
So did the judge get it right? $16,000 in fines is not chicken feed but at the same time was it harsh enough?
If you compare the usual legal (notice I didn't say justice) system it seems pretty harsh. We have seen young offenders walk away with little more than a pat on the back and don't do it again. We have seen murderers, drug dealers and knife wielding thieves back on the street in relatively short time. But the wildlife people and the fish cops apparently take things much more seriously.
Huge fines and jail time are not out of the norm for those who walk on the wrong side of wildlife.
The comparison drawing most attention. Shortly after the three poachers were slapped with their fines, again totally $16,000, a regular wife beater took his turn standing before the same judge. His fine a paltry $350 for beating up his wife?
Now that has raised some eyebrows and if anything good comes out of the duck poachers perhaps the legal system will realize its time to get tough on thugs who commit crimes against innocent people. Are people not more important than ducks?
If the system fails to recognize that perhaps these victims of wife beating will need to dress up in cute little duck costumes when they testify against those who beat and harm them.

Crying Fowl: Shut The Duck Up

Three young men did something really stupid in Saskatchewan last week. They went out and indiscriminatly shot ducks, ducklings and loons on a pond, even shooting from a car window. Then they did something even stupider. They made a video of their crimes and posted it on UTube.
Of course they were caught and now appear in a Saskatoon courtroom. Almost as interesting is the public reaction. From death threats, to suggestions of floggings, long jail terms and huge fines the public has been outraged.
It appears you can do something to another human but if you mess with fish, fowl or our four legged friends you better be prepared for wrath.
Quarterback Michael Vick is a great example. Recently released from prison after two years and still young, he is ready to resume his National Football League career.
Only problem, all thirty NHL teams have passed on his services because he was convicted of running an illegal dog fighting ring. This is the same National Football League that has welcomed back sex offenders, assaulters and both drug dealers and pushers. Ofcourse in Vick's case no team is willing to take the chance of offending dog lovers by reinstating the fallen quarterback.
It makes for an interesting study as to where our compassion lies. Why are we more outraged when animals are the victims and less when people suffer?
The Saskatchewan duck poachers made a stupid error in judgement. Michael Vick got caught up in something that he should never have been involved in. The question is, do they deserve a second chance? Punishment to be sure. No-one would suggest otherwise but death threats and floggings. Thats a little over the top.
The latest athlete to fall from grace is Patrick Kane of the Chicago BlackHawks.
Alledgedly and I stress alledgedly, he is charged with beating up a taxi driver when the driver didn't have twenty cents change to give him. Ofcourse he is innocent until proven guilty, but we haven't heard much about it. It makes me wonder how outraged people would be if he had beaten up the taxi driver's dog?

No Quarterback Controversy In Saskatchewan

Six weeks into the Canadian Football League season and three things are clear.
1) Montreal Alouettes continue to be the top team in the league
2) The Hamilton TigerCats are the early season surprises and
3) There is no quarterback controversy in Saskatchewan
Head coach Ken Miller made that crystal clear after the Riders fell 35 - 20 to the BC Lions and neither Darian Durant or Stephen Jyles played well enough to get the job done. Believe it or not Anthony Cavillo completed more passes in a 25 - 0 win over the Toronto Argonauts then either Durant or Jyles even attempted.
Durant was 10 for 19, Jyles 7 for 13. Thats 32 pass attempts. Cavillo completed 35 passes out of 43 attempts for 395 yards. Heres how the other winning quarterbacks did. Quinton Porter 26 for 37 as Hamilton stopped Edmonton and Henry Burrris 27 for 38 and 356 yards as Calgary topped Winnipeg.
But according to Ken Miller.
In my mind there isn't any quarterback controversy at this time,''
There may not be a controversy, at least in Miller's mind, but there doesn't appear to be a quarterback who can get the job done. To my mind another thing is crystal clear. If the Riders don't upgrade the quarterback position, there may not be a playoff trip. This weekend the Riders got some help from Hamilton to stay in a pack at the top of the CFL west but its also precariously close to the bottom of the pile as well.
After six weeks Saskatchwan, Calgary and Edmonton all share first place with three wins and three losses and the BC Lions are just a game back at 2 - 4.
Next week its Hamilton at Saskatchewan, Calgary at Edmonton, BC at Toronto and Montreal at Winnipeg.
Saskatchewan will be in tough vs Hamilton, Calgary and Edmonton could go either way and you have to think BC will top Toronto.

"GET THE POACHERS" sent you a message on Facebook...

Its nice to be able to help out in even a very small way when you have people that do these kind of things. And nice to see that Facebook and the internet in general can be used in a positive and responsible manner as well.

Received the following message on my facebook account
."GET THE POACHERS" sent you a message on Facebook...Lance Taylor sent a message to the members of GET THE POACHERS.

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Subject: DUCK POACHERS CAUGHT

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Three Saskatchewan men arrested in connection with YouTube duck shooting video

http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iZStfjwS9tOv5YZd5JMiq06zyyhA

(CP) – 35 minutes ago

SASKATOON — Three Saskatchewan men have been arrested in connection with a recent video posted on YouTube that shows a trio of males using rifles to shoot ducks on a prairie pond.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment says all three suspects are from a Saskatoon-area community.

The ministry also says the video was shot at a location in rural Saskatchewan, and that all three suspects face charges under both federal and provincial wildlife protection laws.

The video depicts two of the men firing at the ducks while the third captures their glee on camera.

The Internet posting led to widespread public outrage over the shooting.

The three men will appear in Saskatoon provincial court on Monday.
For anyone who didn't follow this here, as Paul Harvey says, is the rest of the story.


Some unidentified gun-toting young men are being hunted by Alberta and Saskatchewan conservation officers after they were captured in a YouTube video illegally shooting ducklings and other protected migratory birds. The video, which was posted on YouTube last week, has infuriated hunting and wildlife conser
Photograph by: Screen grab, Youtube
SASKATOON — Three Saskatoon-area residents were arrested Saturday morning and face charges under both federal and provincial wildlife protection laws in connection with a duck-shooting video.

The four-minute video emerged earlier this week on YouTube and showed three men giggling while gunning down ducklings from a parked car.

The video sparked widespread public outrage and prompted the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta and the Canadian Humane Society to offer rewards for information that could help authorities identify the three men.

The “unprecedented public reaction” to the video led to a significant amount of tips phoned in to Saskatchewan and Alberta tip lines, according to a release from the Government of Saskatchewan.

Gary Harrison, manager of special investigations unit with the Ministry of Environment, said these tips led to the arrests of the three men.

“We probably had more calls on this one issue than we’ve ever had,” he said. “It was god to see the response.”

Ministry of Environment Conservation Officers and Environment Canada Wildlife Enforcement Officers made the arrests Saturday.

Two search warrants were executed at the time of the arrests, allowing officials to search the homes of the three individuals for further evidence. Brian Petrar, operations manager for Saskatchewan for Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement division, said police searched for a number of items related to the video.

The men will appear in the provincial courthouse in Saskatoon Monday, where they will be formally charged with a number of offences likely under the federal Migratory Bird Convention Act and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Act.

Wally Escapes The Bag(s)

Despite the best efforts of Rob Baggs and Stevie Baggs, Wally Buono the veteran coach of the British Columbia Lions escaped as the Leo's outplayed the Saskatchewan RoughRiders 35 - 20. Buono along with quarterback Buck Pierce have been underfire as the Lions struggled to a 1 - 4 start but the Riders with their lack of a quarterback and inability to stop the run proved to be the perfect tonic.
All week long Riders coach Ken Miller preached to the players about the importance of hydrating themselves and after watching Friday's performance you wonder with what.
The Riders looked like they were under a giant hang over. The defense started as well as you can forcing three consecutives turnovers. Darian Durant responded well with two touchdown passes to Rob Baggs and it looked like the Riders were off to the races. But in typical Darian Durant fashion, its start well, fade and then get progressively worse. Finally, fourth quarter, in comes Stephen Jyles who on this night had one play. Look, duck, run like hell. It worked for a couple of gains but not much more.
Last week Miller employed a start Durant, go to Jyles, back to Durant rotation that resulted in a win over Calgary. So why not this week?
In my mind there isn't any quarterback controversy at this time,'' Miller said. "In the first half, Darian made some really good decisions, otherwise I would have gone with Steven a little bit earlier for a series or two and then put Darian back in. We had the situation where we threw that interception and I wanted to get Steven into the game.''Miller added that Durant remains the starting quarterback. Jyles said that he's OK with Miller's position.
The ever generous Wally Buono even tried helping the Riders out with a third down and inches gamble that gave the Riders a shot in BC territory. But again Jyles could not move the ball and the Riders fell. Would that not have been the time to return to Durant?
According to Miller, there isn't any quarterback controversy at this time. If that is so, then the blame for this loss lies squarely on the coach. And thats only fair.
Miller received critism for his two quarterback rotation against Calgary and then high praise from fans and media alike when it worked. So why not use it this time?
The answer lies with the coach and in this case so does the blame.

Premiers sidestep climate change, disappoint green groups

The "Showdown in Regina" that environmental groups had hoped for failed to materialize Friday, as Canada's premiers ended three days of meetings by sidestepping contentious aspects of the climate change debate.
Instead, premiers and territorial leaders announced consensus on the need to prepare for the ongoing H1N1 pandemic, fight U.S. protectionism, improve the country's employment insurance program and promote innovation to diversify and strengthen the Canadian economy.
So the Green People, and thats not the Rider Nation, are disappointed that the Premier's didn't do anything for them on all their environmental concerns.
The premiers had offered different approaches to combat climate change, but opted for an end-of-meeting statement simply stating they agreed Canada would be "well served to work with the United States on a continental approach."
So what were these people expecting. You have about a dozen premiers there from all different parts of the country and someone is expecting them to come up with something that suits everyone. Now maybe if they were voting themselves a pay raise or something like that, you might have a unanimous outcome. But the environment. Environmentalists themselves can't even agree on most points.nvironmental groups accused the premiers of making "lacklustre motherhood statements" rather than making their meeting a "rumble in Regina."
"The premiers should have taken off the gloves and gone bare-knuckle with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ottawa," said Dave Martin, climate and energy co-ordinator for Greenpeace Canada. A rumble in Regina. Has a nice ring but a rather stupid comment.
The Premiers did agree on a couple of things. H1N1 is bad. Everyone should get a piggy flu shot and they led the way in getting it done.

Wally: Passing The Buck

The British Columbia Lions host the Saskatchewan RoughRiders tonight with at least two Lions on the uncomfortable hot seat and enduring the wrath of fans and media all week long.
Wally Buono, the elder statesman of CFL coaches, but so far this year on the wrong end of a 1 - 4 start and Buck Pearce, Wally's choice of quarterback and a guy who apparently has his coaches undying support.
The media has been crying the game has passed Wally by. His methods are outdated etc etc etc. Of course much of that, all of that is bogus. Wally just didn't wake up one morning and become a bad coach.
It reminds of years ago when I did play by play for the Regina Pats. In 1974 Coach Bob Turner took the Pats to a Memorial Cup championship. Many of his players graduated to the NHL that year and in 1975 the Pats went through an unbelievable 36 game winless streak and Turner was fired mid season. How do you go from championship coach to bum of the year overnight.
You don't and in BC, its not Wally's fault. Have his players under performed or have other teams that they have faced so far this season just performed better? But the old story in sports is, if the players don't perform, its usually the coach that walks the plank. If the Lions lose tonight, despite the "Save Wally" campaign the venerable old coach will likely be gone.
Meantime the media's wrath has been directed at Buck Pearce. Someone in the media has even done some math:
In professional football, a quarterback rating of 158.3 is perfect, 107.2 is considered exceptional and 72.0 is regarded as not very good.
So who should be the starting quarterback for the B.C. Lions Friday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders —Jarious Jackson, with a passer rating of 107.2, or Buck Pierce at a lowly 72.0?
Apparently math was never Wally's subject. Buck Pearce, with his lowly 72% rating gets the nod from Wally to start at quarterback and the fans and media, well they are not happy. I would point to who ever in the media figured out those ratings that they are somewhat misleading. If a receiver happens to drop a perfectly thrown ball, that counts against the quarterbacks average and its likely, I would suggest, that a veteran coach like Wally is well aware of that.
Meantime the Riders go into the game with a defense that Stevie Baggs says is ready to dominate. But its also a defense that goes into the game without Scott Schultz who announced his retirement this week.
After the Riders surprising comeback win, its difficult to predict against this team but somehow I look for the Lions, at home to right the ship against Saskatchewan. Wally and Buck just have to much to lose to let this one slip away,

Canada's Premiers Prepare For H1N1

Canada's Premiers are gathering in Regina this week and H1N1 or the swine flu is high on the agenda. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall confirmed that the Premier's are preparing.
Wall, who hosted the meeting at the provincial legislature, said afterward that the premiers are "sensitive to the fact" that there are certain populations that seem more vulnerable than others when it comes to H1N1. Wall said every government is doing what it can.
"Almost every premier spoke up at this meeting and said, 'Here's what we're doing.' It's sort of uncharted waters for all of us," said Wall.
Wall also said the premiers aren't done discussing H1N1, adding that the issue will be added to the agenda when they meet Thursday.
The situation will challenge officials going into the fall, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said at Wednesday's meeting.
"We have to prepare, I believe, as Canadian leaders ... as if there is an H1N1 truck coming around the corner with serious implications for the health of many Canadians," said Doer.
Canadians can rest assured. Our Premiers have prepared well.

Riders Quarterback Carousel Continues

TSN didn't like it. Matt Dunnigan made that clear. But if you're Ken Miller, head coach of the Saskatchewan RoughRiders who cares what Matt Dunnigan thinks. The Riders musical quarterback rotation of Darian Durant and Stephen Jyles worked in a 24 - 23 win over the Stampeders and Miller liked it.
It did work well,'' Miller said. "I was really pleased that we had two quarterbacks who performed admirably well — one not at the expense of the other. It really demonstrates the fact that our quarterbacks are developing nicely.''
So as the Riders head for Vancouver and a Friday night opportunity to drive a nail into the BC Lions coffin, Miller expects the musical carousel of quarterbacks will continue with Durant starting, Jyles prepared to come in and Durant going back into the game sometime after the coach has seen enough of Jyles. Why not make this really interesting. Throw Dalton Bell in there as well. If it worked for two, wouldn't three be better.
The Riders go into Friday's encounter at 3 - 2 while Wally Buono's Lions are reeling at 1 - 4. The media and fans are howling for Wally's head. Wally has indicated he has no suicide plans. Dave Ritchie is hanging around the Lion practice field claiming his wife and Wally's wife are really good friends and thats why he is there. If the Lions lose on Friday and Saturday morning Wally is drawing UI benefits and Ritchie is coaching, someone will have to check on the status of those ladies friendship.
The "Save Wally" campaign got off to a strong start early in the week but has kind of fizzled now. Meantime both teams have changes. Lions have three new players ready to go and three cast aside. Riders had Scott Schultz retire and someone is going to have to step up and fill the hole there. Schultz apparently retired for business reasons. That's his story and he's sticking with it
but there are rumors, according to one tabloid, that the "Save Wally" campaign may have been a factor.
Could be a big weekend for the Riders if their quarterbacks hit all the right notes and for Wally and the Lions, will a great coaching career end on a sour note?

NDP Name Change - Irrelevant

NDP Considering Name Change!

The federal New Democratic Party will consider dropping the word "new" from its name when delegates gather for the party's annual convention in Halifax in two weeks.
The 1,000 delegates expected to attend the conference will either move to adopt the abbreviated moniker right away, reject it, or appoint a task force to study the name change.
Ontario NDP Brian Masse, who is in favour of a change, said the current name is dated.
"Is it another 50 years that we stay 'new'? Another 100 years?" Masse told CBC News in an interview Tuesday.

No real surprise here for a party that the Prime Minister recently labelled as irrelevant. Stephen Harper made that comment about the NDP last June when he and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made a deal to keep the Conservatives in power. NDP Leader Jack Layton was basically snubbed and left out in the cold on that deal between the Liberals and the Conservatives.

So name change or not. How relevant is the New Democratic Party whether you drop the New and call it the Democratic
Party in Canada. I can hardly wait for someone in Canada, where we have too many political parties already, to come out of the woodwork with a new party called the Republican Party of Canada.
Masse dismissed suggestions that by changing its name to the Democratic Party, the NDP may be trying to bask in the reflected glory of the Democrats in the United States.
"I think Canadians will know the difference between Barack Obama and [NDP Leader] Jack Layton," he said.
When asked of the likelihood of a name change, Masse responded: "it's hard to say."
How about a fitting name where you won't even have to change the letters. The Nearly Dead Party in keeping with the theme of irrelevancy and a party that continues to hang on to Medicare as its only contribution and yes we all know Tommy Douglas was a great man with an outstanding vision and we thank him for that. But Jack Layton and all the Nearly Dead Party followers really have to come up with something new.

The Heat's On In BC - Save Wally

Things are really heating up in British Columbia and its not forest fires that are causing the heat around the Lions.
Wally Buono's Lions are off to a dreadful 1 - 4 win loss start. Now in some places such as Hamilton and Saskatchewan 1 - 4 is kind of accepted with some grumbling and in Rider land of course its get rid of the quarterback time. Come to think of it, in Saskatchewan if you start 4 - 1 or even 3 - 2 its still get rid of the quarterback time. Darian Durant, Michael Bishop, Kevin Glenn, Kerry Joseph, Marcus Crandall. I think the only qb Rider fans ever liked was Ron Lancaster.
Losing just doesn't sit well in BC and losing isn't something Wally Buono tolerates. In the media there are cries of get rid of Wally, he's too old, out dated, too attached to Buck Pearce and on and on it goes.
Wally is making changes. There's a new middle linebacker coming in to plug the worst run defense in the league.
JoJuan Armour arrives carrying a whole lot of baggage including run ins with coaches and accusations of being too mean to his own players in Calgary practice sessions. But maybe that's why he's coming in. When you're 1 - 4 somebody needs to be mean and maybe JoJuan is just the guy.
So back to Wally. One of the elder statesman among CFL coaches. Four Grey Cup championships, four straight first place finishes in the Western Conference with BC. What's his reaction to all this.
' And I've been there before. I'm not happy about it. I have my concerns. But I'm not stressed out about it. At the end of the day, I got home to relax, and I think about what we're going to do the next day when we pick up the football. I'm not contemplating suicide, if that's what you're taking about."

And why should he? The guys a veteran coach. But just in case the Lion's unhappy owner David Brayley is thinking about
sacking the coach, the Save Wally Campaign continues in earnest and is spreading.
Friday night will be an interesting night with Saskatchewan at BC.
Heard a coffee shop joke today. What's a good cure for a four game losing streak?
Answer: A visit from the Saskatchewan Rough Riders

Let's give Old Wally the benefit of the doubt

B.C. Lions coach/GM deserves a second chance

Article from the Vancouver Sun shows the crying for the lynching of Sir Wally who's BC Lions have started 1 - 4 has begun.
Therefore we must intensify the "Save Wally" campaign.
Article written by Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun
They want Wally Buono’s head on a platter. He’s lost the plot, they say. He’s over the hill, or he’s an egomaniac who thinks he can snap his fingers and turn chicken, er, droppings into chicken salad. Or he’s got some sort of man-crush on Buck Pierce that blinds him to the quarterback’s faults. His offence can’t punch the ball into the end zone from a yard out and his defence couldn’t stop a running nose.
But just for the sake of argument, let’s give Old Wally the benefit of the doubt here, because his record says he’s earned it.

Let’s say the coach/GM of the 1-4 B.C. Lions didn’t just wake up stupid one day last winter and decide to get rid of a raft of veterans in the same off-season in which he would lose the league’s best defensive player, Cam Wake, and two of the team’s biggest impact players on offence, tackle Rob Murphy and running back Stefan Logan.

Let’s say that his decisions to let players like Tyrone Williams, Otis Floyd, Jason Clermont and Kelly Bates go, based on early-season returns with their new employers, look quite defensible.

And let’s give him his due on Murphy, Wake and Logan. There was nothing he could do about them. Wake and Logan went to the NFL, and Murphy followed the money to Toronto, where I hope he’s very happy.

So what is the coach himself saying:
“I’m truly disappointed and disgusted by the start,” said Buono. “Maybe I’m a naive person, but when things are done well, it’s a very good football team. It’s on all of us. The players are the ones between the white lines, but it’s my job to put them there.” (end of article)
Have to agree with Cam Cole (Vancouver Sun) on this subject. A man like Wally Buono didn't just wake up and become a bad coach. But in a league where only six of eight teams make the playoffs somebody has to miss. Calgary, the Grey Cup champs, you would expect to make the playoffs. Saskatchewan looks pretty good and Edmonton is improved as everyone expected they would be. So maybe, just maybe, its British Columbia's turn to miss the playoffs and you can't hang Wally for that.
SAVE WALLY CONTINUES
The Riders visit BC Friday night. It will be interesting.

Adding Armour, Saving Wally

The airlift has begun, the panic button has been pushed and one of the Canadian Football League's greatest coaches, Wally Buono has to be feeling the heat and its not from forest fires. The British Columbia Lions and Buono are off to an uncharacteristic one win, four losses start and a loss on Friday night to the Saskatchewan RoughRiders may be the nail in the Lions coffin and a nail in a great career.
So some armor has been added in the form of linebacker JoJuan Armour, of late a disruptive force in Calgary, running back A. J.
Harris and defensive lineman James Edwards.
Buono's teams just don't start 1 - 4. He has four straight first place finishes with the Lions, he owns four Grey Cup championships and has a career record of 227 wins, 112 losses and three ties. But all that will mean little if the Lions fall to Saskatchewan. Buono has to be feeling even more heat after the Lions owner David Brayley publicly apologized to Lion's fans for the teams poor play of late. Not exactly a vote of confidence for anyone connected with the Lions.
Meanwhile rumors are swirling that defensive tackle Scott Schultz will announce his retirement from the Saskatchewan RoughRiders on Tuesday. That could be a bit of a downer going into Friday's game.
It should be another interesting weekend. Winnipeg (2 - 3) is at Calgary (2 - 3). Former Rider quarterback Michael Bishop made his debut for the Bombers and won. Edmonton (3 - 2) is at Hamiton (3 - 2) It looks like Ricky Ray is back but the TigerCats are off to their best start in years. Toronto (2 - 3) is at Montreal (4 - 1)
Going to make my fearless predictions here.
Calgary will beat Winnipeg, Ricky Ray and Edmonton will tame the TigerCats, Montreal will bounce back and beat Toronto and the Lions will win a close one over Saskatchewan. Saving Wally !

CFL - From Ronald McDonald to Musical Quarterbacks

Comment of the week - well from who else but Mike Kelly, head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I don't care if its Ronald MacDonald running the offense. We just need to move the football.

Well Ronald MacDonald took the form of Michael Bishop, the same Michael Bishop that the Riders ran out of town, and well he didn't exactly set the world on fire,
But the Bombers did emerge with a win edging by the Toronto Argonauts 13 - 12.
Bishop went 16 for 30 for 213 yards much better than his predecessors have done but it was the Winnipeg defense that really accounted for the win forcing seven turnovers. And then the Bombers got a real boost on a Toronto time count violation that turned a 47 yard field goal attempt into a 57 yard one that hit the crossbar.
In Calgary, the Riders played musical quarterbacks and it seemed to work in a 24 - 23 win over the Calgary Stampeders.
Darian Durant started looked good, faded was pulled in favor of Stephen Jyles, came back in again and looked good in completing the game. Nobody likes the musical quarterback thing, but Durant's history seems to be quick starts, look good,
fade, and then get progressively worse. If the rotating quarterback thing works good for Ken Miller for going with it.
Durant threw three downtown passes including two to Chris Getzlaf who looked great. Weston Dressler again had his usual, give everything you got, kind of game.
One thought on the Stampeders. If they spent as much time practising football as they do those stupid celebration dances, they might be a better team. It used to be just after a touchdown the Stampeders inflicted that upon us but now even the defense is doing it and it seems like on every play. Give it a rest!
Elsewhere Hamilton beat BC. Poor old Wally may be the first coach sacked this year as even the BC owner is mad.
And Edmonton knocked off unbeaten Montreal.
So in the west Edmonton and Saskatchewan sit on top at 3 - 2, Calgary at 2 - 3 and BC 1 - 4.
The Riders go to BC next and what a great opportunity to drive a nail into the Lion's coffin.