A Canadian Fairy Tale Completely Ruined

Once upon a time in a land called Canada and an area known as Parliament Hill, an interesting story began to develop. The land was governed by Sir Stephen, in this land they called him Prime Minister not King, and his band of supporters numbering about 143. For this little story, we shall refer to him as King Stephen. ( I think politicians like that anyway) Having 143 loyal followers to assist him was a good thing for King Stephen, except that his opponents numbered about 163 and thus if they all banded together they could push King Stephen from his throne. That was not good and neither was the fact that in the previous year or so, King Stephen and his followers were not able to accomplish much and anything they did accomplish was only because some of the opponents helped King Stephen out.
The opponents were an interesting bunch. The villian and scoundrel was a fellow named Sir Michael from a far off land. Things were relatively peaceful in the land known as Parliament Hill until Sir Michael of Ignatieff returned, got rid of the leader of the group and coronated himself. Sir Michael had been gone from the land for a long time but now he was back and he wanted power in the worst way. He had many bad things to say about King Stephen and tried to convince the people of the land that despite the fact that he had deserted them three decades ago, he was now back and, like Moses, would lead the people to the promised land. It took Moses
forty years and Sir Michael felt thirty some years of being gone was pretty close.
Sir Michael and his group number about 77.
Another opponent was Sir Gilles of Duceppe. Now Sir Gilles was an interesting man.
Kind of quiet deadly quiet. He led a group, 49 in all, that wanted to
separate from the Kingdom and form a kingdom of their own. They were known as the
Bloc and sometimes, less than affectionately, were known as the Bloc Heads.
Sir Gilles and the Bloc Heads were really only interested in things that improved their Kingdom. Depending on how the wind was blowing they might support King Stephen or they might not. You just never really knew. One thing everyone knew.
Sir Gilles sure liked the money that the Kingdom handed out. He just wanted to have his own little Kingdom and all the money and perks from the Big Kingdom as well.
The third opponent was led by Sir Jack of Layton and were sometimes referred to as
the Laytonhoods. Similiar to Robin Hood of old, Sir Jack LaytonHood wanted to take from the rich and give to the poor. Sir Jack had always been a staunch opponent of King Steven and yet a funny thing began to happen.
Just when it looked like the scoundrel Sir Michael, assisted by the separatist Sir Gilles, were about to defeat King Steven, well can you guess who came to the rescue?
It was Sir Jack and his merry band of 37 who said "King Steven, we will lend the support of our merry men to you and thus together we shall defeat Sir Michael and
Sir Gilles and your Kingdom shall survive. Wow what a turnabout. How could this have happened? Many theories have been put forth and someday historians will record it all in a book, much like Robin Hood, for all to decide and debate.
Sir Jack of Laytonhood says the people of the Kingdom do not want a new leader at this time. So King Stephen shall stay. Many scribes said Sir Jack felt the Kingdom could not afford to dispose of King Stephen and then go through all the expense of finding another King. And what if after all the expense and smoke had cleared and King
Stephen was back again and back with still not enough members to defeat his three
opponents. In other words what if nothing changed and we had to do this all over
again. That would be terrible for the Kingdom.
But then another theory began to emerge. A couple of fellows, an Angus Reid and a
Harris-Decima, began talking to people throughout the land of Parliament Hill and beyond. The began to whisper stories about strong support for King Stephen,
less support for Sir Michael, about the same support for Sir Gilles and even less support for Sir Jack of Layton. In fact it was rumoured that King Stephen might be back with even more support than Sir Michael, Sir Gilles, and Sir Jack all put together. It was even whispered that King Stephen might be able to do an
effective job of governing the Kingdom and put all this turmoil behind for at least four years. And most surprising of allthe things these Reid and Decima fellows said, was that Sir Jack of Laytonhood might lose many of his supporters and perhaps even lose his role of leading his little band. Could that be? Could Sir Jack be supporting King Stephen because of his own ulterior motives? No, no, it couldn't possibly be.
That would ruin a perfectly good Canadian fairy tale.

Dwain Blowing Smoke

My dear departed Grandmother used to call it making a big ado about nothing. One has to think the term could be applied to Saskatchewan NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter who is upset about, wait for it, this is big, Premier Brad Wall appearing on a local sports talk show and making CFL predictions, talking about the Saskatchewan RoughRiders, and worst of all, are you waiting for it, talking about the American National Football League and his favorite team the Oakland Raiders. Oh my!

New NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter -- elected to the legislature in one of two byelections won by the NDP this week -- thinks Wall might have better things to do with his time.
"The fact of the matter is, when you're the premier it's more than going on the sports show and quoting football statistics from some American football team," he told reporters this week as he raised concerns the government wasn't adequately prepared for a potential pandemic.

The fact of the matter is the Saskatchewan RoughRiders are a source of pride to all residents of Saskatchewan and to even many residents living outside the province. Note the huge number of Rider fans in attendance Sunday as the Eskimos of Edmonton
set a CFL record with 62,000 plus in their game against Saskatchewan. I'm proud of that! Apparently Dwain isn't.
Is there something wrong with the Premier unabashedly supporting the Saskatchewan RoughRiders? I don't know maybe the Premier is scribbling out notes on working time. Incidentally the show he appears on starts at 6pm. Thats the end of the day and our own time for most working stiffs so why shouldn't the Premier have some time to himself.
Is it the American thing that bothers Dwain? Gee Dwain, my favorite is the Green Bay Packers. Guess I shouldn't tell anyone about that.
Oh says Dwain "When you're the Premier its more that going on sports shows and quoting football statistics" I guess the
Premier didn't know that. Well now he does. Thanks Dwain.
Talk about making yourself look bad. Is this the biggest criticism the NDP and their leader can come up with? If thats the
case Brad Wall shouldn't have too much trouble winning the next election.
Oh and as for his predictions. The Premier is doing pretty well there too. A staffer (The Premier's) notes Brad is 28 - 16
in CFL game predictions and 6 - 2 in NFL games. Not bad but that staffer better lie low. Dwain will be calling for his
resignation tomorrow.

CFL: I was wrong, I'm glad

The Saskatchewan RoughRiders spoiled my perfect prediction record for the weekend by beating Edmonton 23 - 20. That left me with a three for four record and good for the
Riders. I am happy about that as I had predicted Ricky Ray and his Eskimos would win.
First though heart felt congratulations to Mike Kelly and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for capturing the Toilet Bowl on Sunday. The Bombers flushed the equally inept Toronto Argonauts 29 - 24 leaving Toronto in the sewer with a 3 - 9 record.
My other two predictions came right as well. Montreal, the class of the CFL, clobbered the Hamilton PussyCats 42 - 8 and Calgary stopped BC Lions 27 - 18.
Back to the Riders though, Darian Durant had a so so game but it was good enough for the Riders to win 23 - 20 and claim a share of first place. A record crowd in Edmonton. Notice whenever someone has a great crowd, the Saskatchewan RoughRiders are nearly always the visitors. Says volumes about Rider fans and who really is the
most popular CFL team. Ricky Ray had a, not like Ricky Ray day, and again congratulations to the Rider defense for figuring Ricky out on Sunday.
Keep hearing on the post game shows about how Andy Fantuz is supposed to be so unhappy but all he did was make great, sometimes spectacular catches for the Riders.
If thats how he displays his unhappiness, keep him unhappy.
So next week the Riders travel to BC for a Friday night game. Thats another big one for the Riders and the way the West is going they will all be big games right up to the end of the season.
Elsewhere it Edmonton at Winnipeg, Montreal at Toronto, and Hamilton at Calgary.
Note on the officiating in the Riders - Edmonton game.
I am convinced that these guys in the striped shirts think 62,000 fans came to the game to watch them throw flags. Its never going to get better, it hasn't in forty years, but I feel better.

Shovels in Edmonton, The Toilet Bowl in Winnipeg

Although a loss wouldn't necessarily spell the end of the season for the Saskatchewan RoughRiders, never the less it is a huge game as they visit the Edmonton Eskimos. An Edmonton win would give the Eskimos a 7 - 5 record while the Riders would drop to 6 - 6. I imagine Rider players and fans will also be watching Friday night as the BC Lions visit the Calgary Stampeders and wouldn't a Lion win make things interesting. The weekend started off with Montreal drubbing Hamilton 42 -8. Whatever early season magic the TiCats had has been rubbed off.
I missed last weeks Riders game with the Eskimos won by Edmonton. I'm told it was an exciting game and boiled down to one missed coverage by Omar Morgan resulting in a Saskatchewan loss. So this week the two go at it again.
You would have to think the game favors the Eskimos. At home, natural grass surface, a hot Ricky Ray but then you never really know. Edmonton may feel some effect from the WWC wrestling incident the other day but thats doubtful.
Azavie Jackson got into it Aaron Fiacconi. Jackson apparently got popped a couple of times, left the field, and returned with a shovel. Before he could get to Fiacconi cooler heads prevailed. Eskimos say its over and done with now. Apparently they have taken the shovel and buried the hatchet so to speak. So if the Riders are hoping the discontent on the Eskimos will have any
bearing on the game thats not likely going to happen. It is bizarre though. Over some 40 years of following sports including 15 years as a broadcaster and writer, I have seen some dust ups between team mates. But a shovel. Thats a bit over the line.
Will be interesting to see how the Eskimo brass handles that one.
So predictions for the weekend.
Montreal over Hamilton
Calgary over BC
Edmonton over Saskatchewan
And seeing as Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans like naming games, ie the Banjo Bowl etc well, the Toilet Bowl takes place in
Winnipeg this weekend with the Bombers hosting the Toronto Argonauts. Look for the Bombers to flush out the Argos and
win that one. Are the Argos that bad? Yes, and the Bombers are only slightly better.

No more Blame Devine

I have been doing a lot of driving lately. That gives me a lot more time to think (scary thought) and listen to news and radio talk shows etc.
I listened to stories that told how Saskatchewan is leading the nation in several areas including economic growth. Saskatchewan's population is growing. We don't seem to have the same employment problems that other provinces are
experiencing and all in all life under Wall and the Sask Party seems to be pretty good. Even as I listened to talk shows there seem to be more positives than negatives and believe it or not even the Saskatchewan RoughRiders were sharing first place in the West.
Then it struck me. Something is missing. What could it be? Then like a revelation from heaven it dawned on me.
As I listened to talk shows there didn't seem to be any NDP'ers phoning in and complaining about Brad Wall or as is more common among the NDP blaming Grant Devine for everything. You know the terrible debt we have. Blame Grant Devine.
The problems with labor. Blame Grant Devine. The economic situation. Blame Grant Devine. Several years ago after a
significant drubbing inflicted on the RoughRiders, I heard a caller to a talk show phone up, and say it was Grant Devine's fault.
Of course he was kidding but you get the point. There seems to be no-one these days "Blaming Grant Devine"
How frustrating this must be for the NDP. This must leave these old cronies with frustration on their brows. What's the point of blaming Grant Devine when the province is doing so well. The last of the old fossils, Lorne Calvert, has been shunted aside.
There is a new leader in Brad Wall who some have even touted as Prime Minister material. People are returning to the province, our economic outlook is the best in the nation and things look good. And now the NDP brings back one of the old boys club
to lead the party and try to defeat Brad Wall in the 2011 election.
What will happen when the NDP loses that election to the Sask Party and the improvements continue?
Well blame Grant Devine.

Grandma Got It Right

My dear old Grandmother used to have many sayings but one that always stood out was "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"
And apparently that extends right down to the Saskatchewan Party and plans to development nuclear energy in this province.
For years Saskatchewan has had an opportunity that few other provinces have. None really. The opportunity to develop the rich deposits of uranium in the province and move the province ahead while at the same time providing a valuable commodity to the world. Opponents of nuclear development will be surprised to know that uranium actually is used for more than just making bombs.
But now it appears the Brad Wall government will cave in to a minority and shelve plans for nuclear development.
Fictional numbers are being tossed around. One radio report today declared that eighty four percent of the province had spoken and were against nuclear development. Really when was the vote. I must have missed it.
The reality is that 84 per cent of people who attended meetings and spoke up were against nuclear development. How is this a surprise? The vocal minority always shows up for these things and bellows long and loud.
But the Sask Party, more concerned about winning elections than developing the province, will call a halt to development or at least slow things down.
Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd says Saskatchewan people are saying take your time, get it right, consider all the options.
Isn't that what the province has been saying for years? How long will this debate go on? What do we elect governments for?
Apparently to be influenced by a small minority of people who show up for these meetings. Boyd went on to say the government is not throwing up a red light or a green light. More like a yellow light he says. Well the yellow light has been up for far too long. And apparently Boyd is color blind and doesn't realize that yellow means stop and do nothing. And isn't that what this small vocal, loud minority wanted all along.
Yep Grandma was right. Even in 2009 that squeaky wheel is going to get the grease even from a new and what most thought was a progressive Saskatchewan government.

NDP Flip Flops

It appears to be a week of flip flops for the New Democratic Party both on the federal and the provincial scene.
Federally reports out of Ottawa suggest there will be no fall election as had been earlier predicted and expected.
The reason, Jack Layton and the federal New Democrats apparently now have found a way to support the Stephen Harper budget and will vote with the Government on Friday thus avoiding an unwanted election.
Now it would be nice to think that Jack Layton was acting on behalf of all Canadians, that the New Democratic Party had the best interests of Canadians at heart and didn't want to waste valuable taxpayer money. However its more likely that the flip flop on
now supporting Stephen Harper has more to do with the NDP standing in a recent poll than any valiant effort to save the poor old taxpayer some money. Latest polls show the NDP at an all time low in the standings, so low that some have even suggested that the poor NDP showing could translate into a majority government for the Conservatives. Not too hard to figure out the NDP flip flop on that issue. The Liberals and Michael Ignatieff are also trailing in the polls so the question to be asked is: Will the Conservatives allow the NDP to prop them up or will they somehow engineer their own defeat and take the chances on winning an election? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile the front page of Saskatoon's Star Phoenix says the NDP and their leader Dwain Lingenfelter have decided that Saskatchewan is not ready for nuclear development. Lingenfelter says nuclear power is not something that his party would jump into at this time. Isn't this the same Lingenfelter who a couple of years ago, as a businessman, spoke in favour of nuclear development in the province. My what a difference fighting to get into or trying to stay in power can make.
In some ways I think the NDP stance against nuclear is a good thing. Lets make it a clear issue. You have one party in favour of nuclear development and one against. When an election is called the voters know what the stand is and make their choice.
If the party in favour wins, proceed with nuclear. If the party opposed wins the idea ends and Saskatchewan misses a clear growth opportunity. Haven't we played this tune before?
An added note from MacLeans.ca
The link between Jack Layton and your bladderSept. 15, 7:32 a.m. OK, this is the part where Jack Layton notices his poll numbers tanking so he climbs into bed with Stephen Harper, a man that for years he has routinely pilloried, condemned and otherwise not liked very much. Striving to create an aura of principled crisis, Jack hogs the political limelight under the pretense of advancing public policy and societal justice, though pretty much everyone attributes his abrupt aboutface to saving his own political bacon. Jack also talks about kitchen tables. Ultimately, Jack votes with a government to which, barely 24 hours earlier, he was philosophically, intellectually, ideologically, morally and possibly even sartorially opposed. He continues to support the government until he is able to crudely manufacture a moment of betrayal that allows him to theatrically withdraw his backing, preferably while surrounded by autoworkers/the unemployed/kitchen tables.

Feel free to dawdle in the bathroom. Should take a couple weeks.

Throw The Dog A Bone

You're going to have a barbque. Three dogs are coming to the barbque as well.
How do you keep the dogs away from food and bothering people. Well you throw the dogs a bone. In this case a big one for the two bigger dogs and a little one for the little dog. And it worked. The three were entertained for hours and didn't even notice the food on the table.

Blue Bombers: White Cards or White Flags

I am left wondering what is with those white cards that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are using for their play calling.
And apparently they didn't work to well (did anything?) as the Bombers stumbled and fouled their way to a 55 - 10 loss to the Saskatchewan RoughRiders. The cards have numbers on them. Two cards are held up. One apparently is the correct play and one is not. The players all have wrist bands. They check the wrist bands and I suppose compare it to the numbers being held up. It appears the Bombers, defense or offense, were not getting those plays correct. Again what is with these white cards?
Isn't this a bit like pee wee football where you are teaching the game to young kids? Are the Bombers not a professional team?
Well maybe not and perhaps the Bombers players confused those white cards that were being held up for white flags and just packed it in.
I'm left wondering if the Bombers will deploy carrier pigeons to get the plays to the field in their game next week. The pigeons would be just as effective as what we witnessed on Sunday.
Sad to think that this Bomber team has to play the Montreal Alouettes three times this year before they close out their season.
The Als must be licking their lips in anticipation of that one.
Meantime the fans in Winnipeg are calling for the heads of both head coach Mike Kelly and General Manager Lyle Bauer.
Here is a small sampling from the hundreds sent in.
Kelly has got to go, and he can take Bauer with him! This team is an embarrassment! This rebuilding has been going on for too many years now... what an absolute disgrace! If I were Kelly, I'd quit while I still had some of my dignity and not take one penny more from the organization.
The team has quit on Kelly. Please resolve the problem and fire Kelly now! This is a disgrace!This team has never been able to prepare for a game properly because of all the weekly distractions. What's it going to be next week? It is management and the coaching staff's responsibility to prepare the players and keep them focused. The problem is many of the distractions seem to be caused by management and coaching. Time to clean house.
The Bombers meantime maintain that the distractions, and there have been many, including the latest Barrin Simpson debacle.
Simpson has been placed on the nine game injury list and has demanded to be traded.
How sweet Sunday's game must have been for Jason Armstead. Another of Mike Kelly's distractions, Armstead was tossed aside and picked up by Saskatchewan. In a sweet play Armstead, a receiver/kick returned, tossed a 34 yard touchdown pass
to Andy Fantuz to help the Riders along the way.
Most people think the Bombers have completely quit on Mike Kelly and there really can be little doubt after a drubbing like that. Bottom line. Old school methods of bullying the players don't work anymore Mike. Its a new more enlightened century.
Time to get with it.

The Crotch Kicks Back

I must be going soft. For a moment, an ever so fleeting moment, I thought I felt a tear in my eyes as I watched head coach Mike Kelly and his Winnipeg Blue Bombers being completely dismantled 55 - 10 by the Saskatchewan RoughRiders. It turned out it was just my allergies and not sentimental feelings but what can you say as the Riders completely put it to Mike the coach and Michael (as in Bishop) the quarterback. Remember it was Bishop was spouted out " we'll whup em next week in Winnipeg.
Well Michael, as usual, you were on the wrong end of the whupping and as for Mike the coach, well this is the same guy who referred to Regina, the home of the RoughRiders, as being the crotch of Canada.
Two back to back games. Riders outscore Winnipeg 84 - 24 and you wonder who's ass is a little sore from the whuppin.
Controversy abounds in Winnipeg. Actually it started almost as soon as Kelly was appointed head coach.
Kevin Glenn was no longer wanted. Ryan Dinwiddie was sent packing and now the latest controversy swirls around Barrin Simpson, who fortunately for him didn't play in the debacle in Winnipeg, and now has demanded to be traded.
Wes Cates had a great afternoon for the Riders as did Darian Durant who again showed a steady hand at quarterback.
And the defense was again outstanding.
So the Riders now share top spot in the West with Calgary. Both have 6 - 4 records, then its Edmonton at 5 - 5 and BC at 4 - 6.
The Lions played a pretty good game losing 28 - 24 to Montreal. Pretty tall order to beat the Alouettes back to back and try as they might the Lions just didn't get it done. In the other games Calgary beat Edmonton 35 - 34 and Toronto spoiled my hope of going 4 - 0 on predictions this weekend by defeating Hamilton. Next week the Riders host Edmonton in what will be a huge game for the Eskimos. Elsewhere its Calgary at Hamilton, Toronto at BC and Mike Kelly, if he still in town, takes his Bombers into Montreal.
Predictions - Riders over Edmonton - Durant has a hot hand and the defense is playing great
Calgary over Hamilton, BC over Toronto and Montreal will defeat Winnipeg.
One final thought. Can we bury the Banjo Bowl now. The Riders proved to Winnipeg and the CFL that we are not banjo picking inbreds. Now let's get rid of this thing forever.

CFL: The Banjo Bowl

I have always hated that reference, The Banjo Bowl, the name given to the rematch game between the Saskatchewan RoughRiders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers following the Labor Day Classic. I know, I know, I am well aware of where the origin of the name came from, that we in Saskatchewan are all supposed to show what good sports we are after Bomber kicker Troy Westwood called peope from Regina "a bunch of banjo pickin inbreds". In some ways by going along with this little joke we show everyone that maybe we are just that. Remember this province no longer has Lorne Calvert and the small minded NDP leading the province. We've become bigger than that and maybe its time to put this "Banjo Bowl" thing to rest. Seems to me Saskatchewan has been on the receiving end of a lot of Blue Bomber comments. Head Coach Mike Kelly earlier this year called Saskatchewan "the crotch of Canada". So the next game the Bombers and the Riders play, perhaps that should be the Crotch Bowl. Please no and spare me the Banjo Bowl crap as well.
Meanwhile about the game this weekend. Andy Fantuz apparently will play. Jason Clermont is out and apparently won't even dress. Clermont must be having some second thoughts about signing with the Riders. Kitwana Jones is back but apparently won't play either.
Hard ass Mike Kelly is having problems of his own. Barren Simpson is the latest to jump ship apparently having had enough of the head coach. Wonder when Mike will get it figured out. The days of playing tough guy to pampered athletes is over.
Too many problems with the athletes and the coach walks the plank.
So heres my predictions for the weekend.
Riders will prevail over the Bombers
Calgary will beat Edmonton again
Montreal will top the Lions and avenge last weeks stolen away game and
Hamilton will beat Toronto.

Wanna Be Prime Minister Has Short Memory

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says his party has no interest in forming a coalition government with the New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois.

"Let me be very clear, the Liberal party would not agree to a coalition," he told reporters Friday. "In January, we did not support a coalition and we do not support a coalition today or tomorrow."

Really, well what was it that the Liberal Leader Stephan Dion, NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe signed and agreed to. Flashback to December 1st, 2008

Liberals, NDP, Bloc sign deal on proposed coalition
'We must try to make this Parliament work,' Dion says of accord
The Liberals and New Democrats signed an agreement on Monday to form an unprecedented coalition government, with a written pledge of support from the Bloc Québécois, if they are successful in ousting the minority Conservative government in a coming confidence vote.

The accord between parties led by Stéphane Dion, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe came just hours after Liberal caucus members agreed unanimously that Dion would stay on to lead the Liberal-NDP coalition, with support in the House of Commons from Bloc MPs.

Duceppe, Layton and Dion signed this document securing a coalition deal between the Liberals and NDP, with the support of the Bloc on confidence motions, for an 18-month term. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Whether you call it an accord, coalition or agreement, Ignatieff seems to have lost his memory. Good thing the voters haven't.

Why Quarterbacks Have Short Last Names

A very important study has just concluded likely funded by Canadian taxpayer money. The study looked at why NFL quarterbacks have or should have short names and the results may surprise you.

If No-body Wants An Election, Then Why ?

If nobody wants an election and nobody is for it, then why are elections ads starting to run and why are we about to have an election call?
The opposition parties have been quick to say, they don't want an election. It's Stephen Harper's fault and they are all happy to work with him.
Really, flash back a week or so. Remember the big Liberal get together in Sudbury and Michael Ignatieff bellowing - Mr.Harper, Your Time is Up
Well if a poll supposedly to be released tomorrow is correct, then it may be Mr. Ignatieff's time that is up. Reports indicate the poll may show the Conservatives have opened up enough of a lead to form a majority government. The report also apparently will show that the gain has come at the expense of Jack Layton's New Democratic Party. No wonder they are pointing the finger at Harper and saying he wants an election we don't. Even Gilles Duceppe has pointed the finger at Harper leaving you to wonder if the good folks of Quebec have tired of sending toothless federal representatives to Ottawa.
Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe said a fall election appears inevitable at this point and his party is ready to fight it.
“I have the firm conviction that barring a major change there will be an election,” Duceppe said Tuesday.
He said the Bloc’s strategy will be to stress there is not much of a difference between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.
While Liberal Leader Ignatieff would not speculate on the timing of a possible election, he said his party could not support the Tories out of principle.
“We believe that if you’re running the largest deficit in history, terrible unemployment numbers, record bankruptcies and you’re letting Canadian champions down, you’re not investing in the jobs of tomorrow and the know-how of tomorrow, then we can’t support you,” he said. “And we need to present Canadians with an alternative and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jack Layton said on CTV’s Power Play that his party “called on Mr. Harper to reach out to other parties and try to make Parliament work but . . . he hasn’t been willing to do that.”
in an interview Green Party Leader Elizabeth May acknowledged a fall federal election is the last thing she, or Canadians, want.
“Hundreds of people told me they don’t want another election,” May said in an interview with the Victoria Times Colonist. “Five years, four elections. What’s wrong with this picture?”
Conservative party spokesman Dimitri Soudas called the election talks by opposition party leaders “unfortunate” and said the Tory government will instead focus on economic recovery when Parliament resumes next week.
So no-one wants an election but greed and the lust for power will take precedence over a wasted 300 million or so dollars and this fall it will be the election that nobody wants.

George W Coming To Saskatoon

George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, will be speaking at TCU Place in Saskatoon on Oct. 21.
Bush will be the second former U.S. president to speak in Saskatoon. Bill Clinton appeared at TCU Place in 2006.
Like him or hate him, I'm betting George W. Bush will be worth hearing. And you know, with an open mind, it might even be interesting and profitable to hear world events that he participated in from his side and without the usual media slant and of course minus the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) anti American Bush Bashing garbage they pass off as national news.

It's A Battle In The West

Three teams are tied for top spot in the West Division of the Canadian Football League following the weekend.
The Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan RoughRiders all share top spot with 5 - 4 records. And the BC Lions made sure they didn't get left behind upsetting the Montreal Alouettes 19 - 12 on Friday night to improve their record to a very close 4 - 5.
The Saskatchewan RoughRiders released Winnipeg quarterback Michael Bishop last year because he didn't throw enough passes to the guys in green and white. Well Michael got that figured out on Saturday as he tossed three balls to the green sweaters. Olny problem for Michael he now wears blue as in Blue Bombers. Those three interceptions played a huge part in the Riders 29 - 14 win over Winnipeg. It was also a game that should quiet, for a week or so, those detractors of Rider quarterback Darian Durant.
Durant played his best game in a game where the Riders looked completely in control despite momentary third quarter jitters.
Durant showed the kind of leader he is with a comment following the game where he said, " I just wanted to show the organization that it was a good decision (releasing Bishop) and that myself and Stephen (Jyles) can lead this team.
Notice its not I. Its myself and Stephen Jyles. Whether Durant becomes the greatest of all RoughRider quarterbacks or is gone by the end of the year, this is a guy who puts team first and displays tremendous leadership. Hopefully he can take the Riders to a Grey Cup.
In the other games, Calgary got their game back on track by whipping Edmonton 32 - 8. So much for the Eskimos opportunity to move ahead in the West and those poor old Toronto Argonauts were slapped 34 - 15 by the Hamilton Tiger Cats.
The league has to be a little worried about the state of the Argos. As great as it is to see any team from Toronto lose, exception being the BlueJays, the CFL does not need a doormat in Toronto with the NFL knocking on the door.
So this week:
Hamilton at Toronto
Calgary at Edmonton
BC at Montreal
Saskatchewan at Winnipeg

Unquenchable, Unstoppable, Unattainable.

Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals have begun their attack ads on television. It looks like Canadians will be going to the polls this fall in another expensive and unwanted election. Can anyone stop the Liberals. Will Jack Layton ? Will Gilles Deceppe? Very unlikely as the Liberal thirst for power is unquenchable. Jack Layton's hopes to grab power in anyway he can is unstopable and Gilles Duceppe, well it doesn't matter, because hopes of forming the government are unattainable.
So here's hoping the election backfires and Canada goes in with a majority Conservative country and the three men in a tub will be left out to dry.

Lions Do The Improbable

Things got a whole lot more interesting in the Canadian Football League last night with the British Columbia Lions pulling off an improbable 19 - 12 win over the Montreal Alouettes. That puts a whole lot more signifigance on the Saskatchewan RoughRiders sunday afternoon meeting with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Wally's Lions now have four wins and five losses. The RoughRiders and the Calgary Stampeders both sit a 4 - 4. On Monday the Edmonton Eskimos and the Stampeders go head to head in a game that Calgary really needs to win and for Edmonton its a chance to create a little distance from the pack.
Was an interesting finish to the Lions game as the Als scored a touchdown in the dying seconds only to have the referees say they had blown the play dead to add more time to the clock. Talk about officials determining the outcome of a game.
The Als tried again and were stopped giving the Lions the win. For Wally, its win number 231 tying him with Don Mathews for most wins by a coach.
The Rider - Winnipeg game should be a classic with several interesting perspectives adding to the hype.
1) Former Rider quarterback Michael Bishop now leads the Bombers.
2) No Pacman Jones despite that hype all week
3) Mike Kelly always keeps things interesting. In fact this game should have some
added interest for Riders assistant GM Brendan Taman. After Taman resigned from the
Bombers, Kelly told all that would listen that Taman must have kept his scouting reports on a paper napkin, a reference to the Bombers front office mess.
and 4) Which Darian Durant will show up to quarterback the Riders. Durant has received accolades all week for not taking a week off and staying in the film room to improve his play. Sunday we find out if that decision pays off.

Why the Liberals Must Have An Election

Canada sees surprising job gains in AugustOTTAWA — Canada posted a surprising gain in employment in August as the economy showed signs that it was pulling out of a recession.

Loonie extends gains on Canada jobs surprise
TORONTO - Canada’s currency raced higher versus the greenback on Friday after data showed the domestic economy unexpectedly added jobs in August, but the gains will be tested when a U.S. jobs report arrives shortly.

Add to that reports that the housing market is beginning to improve and there is little doubt why the power hungry Liberals want an election before things get any better. Its easy to sit in opposition when things are not going well. You can critize everything knowing you don't have to come up with a solution for anything.
Ask the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party about that. With almost an entire province happy with Brad Wall's leadership and the direction Saskatchewan is going, the provincial New Democrats have been pretty quiet. Sure Judy Junor ranted about the H1N1 virus yesterday and is the province doing enough but thats just posturing.
So does Michael Ignatieff really want an election? Well from a power standpoint he probably does. But can he win it? His best hope would be a Liberal minority.
To a Liberal any power is better than no power. But is the risk worth taking?
Ignatieff is not high in the polls. The risk is that the largely irrelevant NDP would lose a few seats to the Conservatives allowing Stephen Harper to win with a majority. So will the Liberals allow that to happen with an election?
Probably not. More likely Ignatieff will hope that the NDP and the Bloc will prop up the Conservatives and take some in party heat off the Liberal inner circle.
Two things are really sad about Canadian politics.
1) Most of Western Canada doesn't want Michael Ignatieff. Most of Eastern Canada do not trust or want Stephen Harper. Only a handful of socialists die hards support Jack Layton and only Quebec gets the Bloc leaving minority governments a strong possibility every election and
2) A comment made by Bob Rae on a radio talk show yesterday. Said Rae - its the job of the opposition to oppose everything the government does. Really? What if its good legislation. Does the opposition oppose that as well. Unfortunately in Canada, yes they do.

Brad Wall Moves To Outlaw Farmer's Tans

As I drive along Highway 11, my blackberry delicately perched on my lap and amidst several annoying cell phone callers, I notice that Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party government are about to ban the use of cell phones while driving and especially the practice of texting while driving. Just kidding by the way, I really am sitting at my desk and not driving along while texting or googling or anything else. Like probably just about everyone I have to admit that it is a practice I have engaged in and while not very intelligent, especially texting, it is difficult to really argue against this legislation. Texting especially should be outright banned as that is just plain stupid. Legislation against talking on the cell phone though I am not so quick to endorse even a hand held one.
I like to think that I can operate my vehicle with one hand on the wheel, talk on the cell phone and still be aware of everything thats going on around me. Statistics though apparently say otherwise. I won't bore you my recounting SGI's numbers. I am sure they have their stats down right but I wonder about other things.
1) Drivers coming out of a restaurant drive through with a drink and a burger in their hand or a doughnut or muffin. How attentive are they as they steer with one hand and munch away with the other.
2) How many times have you seen drivers with a little dog perched on their lap as they weave through traffic? Are they fully aware of everything around them? If their airbag ever went off that little Shitzu would be nothing but shit zu all over their lap.
3) Applying make up, brushing your hair, putting on lipstick. Are drivers going to be charged for those things? Will Brad and
the boys soon come up with hair brushing legislation
4) What about that GPS sitting on the dash board? I have seen countless drivers programming one of those things and have to admit I even did it myself las week as I drove down the freeway in Montreal.
5) Finally if its about attentiveness and awareness how can head sets or these new gadgets that come through the car's speaker system be any better. The driver is still distracted. So really the legislation would appear to be more about having both hands on the wheel rather than awareness. If thats the case it could mean an end to all those famous Saskatchewan farmers tans.

Will Michael Abandon Sheep?

They are at it again. With the economy starting to show an upswing, the power hungry Liberals, swing into action.
Mr. Harper: Your Time Is Up bleats their leader Michael Ignatieff.
And of course the sheep, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe will follow the lead and not support the government at their earliest opportunity and bring about an election.
The polls show that a vast majority of Canadians do not want an election. However the greedy Liberals who can not stand to be out of power will ignore that and force one anyway.
While most Canadians do not want another election it may turn out to be a good thing. The biggest loser in the election may well be Jack Layton's New Democratic Party. The largely irrelevant party that really never accomplishes anything other than attending parades and rallies could to lose many of their 37 seats. The chances are pretty good that they could lose enough seats to allow the Conservatives to form a majority government following an unwanted election.
Michael Ignatieff has bleated and threatened before. This time though it appears he is serious and that may prove to be his undoing. The big question has to be this. Do Canadians really want a wishy washy indecisive Prime Minister leading Canada?
Vote Liberal and thats exactly what you will get.

Making It Rain In Winnipeg

You have to wonder what head coach Mike Kelly is thinking as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign cornerback Pacman Jones to a Canadian Football League contract. Pacman arrives in Winnipeg as arguably the second most notorious player in the National Football League on the bad boy depth chart behind only quarterback Michael Vick.
A Winnipeg reporter took on a tough assignment yesterday visiting Winnipeg strip clubs and interviewing strippers on what they thought of Pacman arriving in Winnipeg. Pacman is most famous for "making it rain", a stunt where he visits strip clubs and
throws thousands of dollars to the dancers. On one infamous occasion a man ended up getting shot resulting in a one year suspension from the NFL. The suspension is over but apparently loud mouth Mike and the Blue Bombers are the only football team in North American to be interested in the Pacman. Pacman has been arrested at least six times and although he has speed to burn as a kick returner the biggest question might be, is Pacman agile and versatile enough to get by the border guards and on his way to Winnipeg? There's little doubt the Bombers could use an impact player and little doubt that the talented Pacman Jones can make an impact. But you have to remember Mike Kelly's comment as the Bombers parted company with Jason Armstead, another player with a reputation. Something to the extent of "getting rid of A__holes on the team. Add to Kelly's list tempermental quarterback Michael Bishop and there may be some interesting days ahead for the Bombers.
Oh and as for those strippers interviewed by the Winnipeg reporter. Most of them had never heard of Pacman Jones but all said he would be welcome in their club with one club owner saying they would even prepare the VIP room for him.
Meantime the Saskatchewan RoughRiders added Jason Armstead and you have to wonder about that. Armstead comes with his own set of baggage including allegations of assault against a girl friend. Apparently that doesn't bother the Riders either, nor does the fact that they traded Armstead away because of his penchant for fumbling the ball.
Should make for a couple of interesting weeks in the CFL with the Bombers and Riders meeting in back to back games.
Bishop starting at quarterback for the Bombers, Pacman, a big maybe as being in the lineup for Winnipeg, and Armstead back returning kicks for the Riders. This Canadian Football League is an interesting place.