Is It Anything like a Furby?

Yay! I've adopted my very own MP!

The Climate Action Network has started a "Adopt an MP" program.

Thirteen MPs have been assigned a task that would make any self-respecting politician tremble. While balancing pressures from lobby groups, their own political parties and, yes, environmental organizations, they have to improve Canada’s Clean Air Act to make it more acceptable to Canadians.
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Adoptive parents will be asked to send emails prepared by CAN-RAC to your MP. If you have more time to devote to parenting duties you can follow the committee proceedings and send your feedback on your MP’s actual performance. Unlike real parenting, how much time you spend on your MP is totally up to you.

Interesting. I've selected Ottawa-South MP David McGuinty. Say hello, Dave.

"Hello"

I don't currently live in Ottawa South, but I will in a few weeks...or months. Whenever the hell we finally move in to our new house. There's been a delay in the closing date, don't you know.

But that's neither here nor there. Bottom line is that my current MP is recently-appointed Environment Minister John Baird (I miss you, Rona...call me?), and McGuinty (who will henceforth be know as "D-Mac" to street him up a bit) will be my next one. Sweet!

I lead a charmed life, I tell you. Except when it comes to having houses built. There, karma chooses to kick me in the ass to make up for all the other stuff that's so good.

So...I don't know what to do right now. I don't believe that I'm expected to feed him like a Furby, put a towel over his head to make him sleep or change his diaper or anything. I'm still a little unsure. But I'll think on it for a spell and at least introduce myself at some during the course of the week.

I hope my adopted MP and I get along...

George W Bush T-Shirt Slogans

Just repeating something I saw on a message board. Many of them cracked me up.

1) (On an infant's shirt) Already smarter than Bush.

2) 1/20/09: End of an Error

3) That's OK, I Wasn't Using My Civil Liberties Anyway

4) Let's Fix Democracy in This Country First

5) Bush. Like a Rock. Only Dumber.

6) You Can't Be Pro-War And Pro-Life At The Same Time

7) If You Can Read This, You're Not Our President

8) Hey, Bush Supporters: Embarrassed Yet?

9) George Bush: Creating the Terrorists Our Kids Will Have to Fight

10) Impeachment: It's Not Just for Blowjobs Anymore

11) : One Nation, Under Surveillance

12) They Call Him "W" So He Can Spell It

13) Which God Do You Kill For?

14) Jail to the Chief

15) Who Would Jesus Torture?

16) No, Seriously, Why Did We Invade?

17) Bush: God's Way of Proving Intelligent Design is Full Of Crap

18) Bad president! No Banana.

19) We Need a President Who's Fluent In At Least One Language

20) We're Making Enemies Faster Than We Can Kill Them

21) Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Blood

22) Is It Yet?

23) Bush Doesn't Care About White People, Either

24) Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Handbasket?

25) You Elected Him. You Deserve Him.

26) Impeach Cheney First

27) Dubya, Your Dad Shoulda Pulled Out, Too

28) When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46

29) The Republican Party: Our Bridge to the 11th Century

30) 2004: Embarrassed 2005: Horrified 2006: Terrified

I Knew I Liked these Guys.

OTTAWA, Jan. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - The Green Party says Canadians
deserve a break - a real break, not the paltry two weeks'
annual leave now given to most of the country's workers.
 The party is calling on the federal government to increase
the Canadian worker's paid vacation time to a minimum four
weeks, the standard entitlement in the European Union and also
in non-EU nations such as Australia.
 A significant number of countries have even higher standards
than the proposed four-week minimum and their economies outperform
Canada's in both productivity and international competitiveness,
the party says.
 "The citizens of Denmark, Ireland and Holland enjoy much higher
labour standards and those countries have lower rates of unemployment
than Canada, "said Green Party labour critic Richard Pereira. "This
means lower social costs to the country as a whole."
 He said that Scandinavian countries have the world's highest labour
and social standards but still rank at the top in international
competitiveness.
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 Recent studies show that a growing number of Canadians are not taking
their full vacation - or any vacation at all - and are putting in
more hours of unpaid overtime. Meanwhile, workplace stress-related
illness adds an estimated $5 billion a year to the cost of running
Canada's already overburdened health care system, according to the
National Work-Life Conflict Study produced for Health Canada.
 Pereira said that the increasing prevalence of precarious and
temporary employment situations, often without either benefits or
long-term pensions, is another area that must be addressed to halt
the steady deterioration of working conditions and reduce unacceptably
high levels of poverty in Canada.

All right!! More time for me to go camping! :-)

I don't want to give the wrong impression though. I don't support these guys because they want to give me more vacation time and reduce the length of the work week. That would be a rather ridiculous reason to vote for a party.

For me, it's about fighting the disease instead of the symptom. That's why I highlighted a part in italics about taking pressure off the health care system.

When you are losing money, you don't just have the option to try to find ways to bring in more. You can also reduce your expenses. This is what is suggested in this example.

I once heard someone say that the stance is insane because you can't help having people get sick. Of course people will get sick. To suggest otherwise is absurd.

But if you can attack the preventable stuff, why would you not?

The former Green leader, Jim Harris, occasionally gave the example of how the rate of asthma in children has increased dramatically. Attack the cause and kill two birds with one stone; a healthier population and a healthier system.

I don't know...makes sense to me, anyway.

Green Star.

I know of a couple of people who might occasionally read this blog that may be interested in the news that Elizabeth May became leader. I was apprehensive about her for a couple of reasons, but there's no denying that she'll bring much more publicity.

My primary concern involves perception. The Party is more than just about the environment (it would be ridiculous to join a one-issue party, no matter how strongly you feel about the issue) but this doesn't seem to get across very well. May addresses this somewhat in an article from the National Post and has said in the past that she plans on making it a priority.

Considering that the bulk of her popularity stems from her environmental work, I hope she's able to follow through. She does bring have a bit of an edge to her that I believe will be refreshing for many people. Best of luck, new leader!

OTTAWA -- Environmental activist Elizabeth May has won a decisive victory for leadership of the federal Greens with a promise to broaden the fledgling party's appeal and finally get a toehold in the House of Commons.

May won with 2,145 votes, or 65.34 per cent of the valid ballots cast, party officials announced Saturday at a national convention before 400 cheering delegates.

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May, 52, former director of the Sierra Club, called for party unity and said it must build a strong platform well before the next election. She said some voters have chosen the Greens only as a protest vote.

"What we need to do is clearly build a method and a platform so that they are not voting for `none of the above' but so that they are voting for `all my dreams,' " May said.

The party, launched in 1983, has run full slates in the last two federal elections but has not come close to winning a seat in the Commons.

The new leader said she would run in a Cape Breton riding unless there is a by-election somewhere else first. May said she will be in the gallery in Parliament during Question Period and will talk with the press.

"Since (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper isn't giving interviews, maybe some of you have some free time," May joked to reporters after her victory speech.

During the speech, May criticized the recent deal on softwood lumber between Canada and the United States, saying it demonstrates why the North American Free Trade Agreement needs to be renegotiated with the U.S. and Mexico.

"In signing this deal, Mr. Harper has said, `If you push us enough we will say uncle.' We're not against trade but trade must be fair and carbon neutral."

May said she would also push for compliance with the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

"We must stand up to the big lie that Canada cannot meet its Kyoto targets," she said.

To give the party more visibility, May said she is already talking with supportive senators and parliamentarians about creating a "green caucus" on Parliament Hill.

The Greens garnered 664,000 votes in the January election, or 4.5 per cent of the vote. That was only a slight improvement on its showing in 2004, when it won 582,000 votes or 4.3 per cent.

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A Decima Research poll of 1,004 Canadians released earlier this month suggested the party currently has seven per cent support nationally, perhaps helped by a leadership campaign that increased party membership to 8,694 from 5,517.

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Surveys since the 2004 federal campaign suggest a third of Canadians would consider voting Green, compared with 40 per cent who said the same of the NDP, he said.

"The party is particularly strong with voters under 40, and could make inroads in the west Quebec and Ontario."

May said she will make a special effort to reach out to youth, and noted the sector was important for her leadership victory. Acknowledging her French needs improvement, she said she hopes to take intensive lessons.

"I plan to be fluently bilingual by the time of the next leadership debates," May said.

Sierra Club To Sue Rona Ambrose For Being Hot!

She is single-handedly causing global warming by being so hot. Or something like that.

EDMONTON, AB – A coalition of environmental groups today served Federal Environment Minister Rona Ambrose with a petition giving her 60 days to step in to protect two endangered plants in Alberta or face a lawsuit. Alberta Wilderness Association, Federation of Alberta Naturalists, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Sierra Club of Canada and Nature Canada, represented by Sierra Legal Defence Fund, are threatening the suit to test the federal government’s intention to protect Canada’s endangered wildlife.

“When Canadians were assured by the federal government that the Species at Risk Act would protect all of Canada’s endangered plants and animals, were they being told the truth?” asked Rachel Plotkin of Sierra Club. “This case will reveal the answer.”

Full article about how hot Rona is.

I'm a little disappointed in Rona. I've yet to receive a response about why they (the Conservatives) seem to ignore wind power as an option. I don't expect a 100-page report or anything...I even explained that it doesn't have to come from her directly! Anyone in the department can do it. And in all seriousness, when I write these e-mails, I don't write them as silly a way as I do my postings here.

All this leads me to think that she's going to turn down my offer for a date. :-( I was ready to pay for the popcorn and everything...Hell, I'd have even offered to pay for the ethanol that she no doubt uses in her smart car.

Oh well. I'll just have to come up with something else...

Thanks a Lot, Barney!

Lay off the broccoli, your purple weirdo!

And hey, that's some solid science there, Ralphy!

I've mentioned here that I'm a Green Party member. I enjoy making my way through their various message boards and press releases to learn the processes involved in running a political party, albeit a small one on the grow.

I occasionally toy with the possibility of getting more involved in the future, starting very small in order to learn the ropes first-hand. Some aspects are very unclear to me though and I sometimes wonder if I would have what it takes in terms of knowledge and personality traits.

Then I read nonsense like this and I tell myself "If this guy can do it..."

EDMONTON (CP) - Premier Ralph Klein has criticized former U.S. presidential candidate Al Gore for comments he made in a magazine interview in which he attacked the massive oilsands industry in northern Alberta.

Gore told an interviewer in the latest issue of Rolling Stone that oilsands processing is a huge waste of energy and creates an eyesore on the landscape of Western Canada. "For every barrel of oil they extract there, they have to use enough natural gas to heat a family's home for four days," Gore told the magazine.

"And they have to tear up four tonnes of landscape, all for one barrel of oil. It is truly nuts. But you know, junkies find veins in their toes. It seems reasonable, to them, because they've lost sight of the rest of their lives."

Gore concluded the United States must reduce its dependence on oil as the primary source of energy to save the planet from the devastating impact of global warming.

Klein, who was recently in Washington to promote the oilsands as a reliable source of energy for the U.S., said Gore's views are simply not realistic.

"I don't know what he proposes the world run on, maybe hot air," Klein told reporters Tuesday. "I don't listen to Al Gore in particular because he's a Democrat. And not only that, he's about as far left as you can go.

"The simple fact is America needs oil. They need gas. And unless he can find some other source, fine."

Klein has stirred controversy in the past by rejecting scientific data suggesting industrial pollution is one of the leading causes of global warming. He has even said global warming trends that occurred millions of years ago may have been caused by "dinosaur farts."

But the premier conceded for the first time Tuesday that the current causes of global warming are "man-made."

"I don't argue with the science that all of us - as we exhale, as the population grows, as there are more vehicles on the streets and more carbons produced - that we contribute to global warming."

Klein said although Alberta strongly rejected measures in the Kyoto accord to reduce global warming, he believes the province is taking a prudent approach in reducing emissions.

"We take the matter of global warming very seriously. We just don't think that the Kyoto Protocol is the way to go," he said. "As far as I know, we're the only jurisdiction in Canada to put in legislation to reduce greenhouse gases."

Full article.

Nickel For Your Vote?

I just came back from grocery shopping a little while ago. Like a lot of people, when I'm in line, I try to work out in my head what my order will come to.

Here's what I was carrying in my mighty arms:

-A tin of PC Organic Coffee.
-A case of blueberries.
-A bar of Cacao Camino Organic Chocolate (dark w/almonds. No that it matters. But it's very good).
-A tube of toothpaste (Aquafresh. The orange one).
-A pack of 12 mini cinnamon rolls (Oscar really digs those).

I had the advantage of having seen the individual price tags, of course, but hadn't worked it all out as I went along.

When the total came to $17.01, I was pleasantly surprised! That's less than I thought! What minor miracle would have caused me to save all this money?

Oh, that's right! The GST was reduced! I worked it out (since not all the items are charged GST) and if not for that great show of generosity from our PM, I would have actually paid $17.06!

Much appreciated, Mr PM! That nickel is going to the deposit on the new house! I only need about 69,999 more and the second part of it will be taken care of! Or, after just four more similar trips, I can *gasp* use a pay phone! And it'll be almost like it was free! Yay!

Party Past Canada Day!

The Council of Canadians are planning a little shindig for President Bush on July 6th! Isn't that sweet? ;-) I may just take an extended lunch and go join the fun!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be in Washington Thursday, July 6th, which coincides with George W. Bush’s birthday. Join Maude Barlow and the Council of Canadians at a birthday bash for George Bush in front of the PMO, where we'll ask Stephen Harper to limit his generosity to a card and good wishes.

Our government has already handed Bush our troops for use in his “war on terror.” We signed away our right to energy security in NAFTA. Harper’s letting Bush keep $1-billion worth of the lumber tariffs the U.S. government took from us illegally. And Bush knows he need only ask before we hand over our fresh water, too.

The Council of Canadians fears that Harper will further compromise Canadian sovereignty in areas of foreign policy, trade and security, and we hope to raise awareness about how much the Prime Minister has sacrificed without public consent during his short reign.

Show Harper you can be a good neighbour without giving it all away.

• What: A birthday party for Dubya (free cake and loot bags!)


• Where: Outside the PMO, in front of the NCC Info Centre at Wellington and Metcalfe


• When: Thursday, July 6, noon to 1 p.m. (bring sunscreen, noisemakers and a party hat!)


• Why: Because we can, because it’s fun, and because we’re sick of giving pieces of Canada away


• Who: Come one, come all. This is a Council of Canadians party and everyone’s invited!

It's Not My Fault that Rona Ambrose is Hot....

...but it'll probably be used against me anyway so I have to be careful how I choose my words.

It's a matter of personal opinion, of course, but I find Canadian Minister of the Environment Rona Ambrose to be hotter than a firecracker.


That's bad, because I plan on asking her out on a date. And that could be misinterpreted.

Now of course I'm happily married (see the previous post. I risked my life CAMPING for this woman. What more proof do you need??) and to the best of my knowledge (and according to her bio) so is the smoldering Rona. And that shouldn't surprise anyone. How could a brainy fox like that go unhitched for any significant length of time??

I'm still going to ask her out (next time she's in Ottawa) because it won't be THAT kind of date. I'm not asking her to come with me to my prom or anything.

I want her to come and see An Inconvenient Truth with me.



Mrs THIT and I went to see this earlier tonight. We both enjoyed it, at least as much as one can enjoy such a bleak view of the current state of the world. At least it leaves you with the message that something can still be done, assuming it's 100% accurate (and as you know, I have a hard time taking all these claims at face value).

But one of the problems with this type of movie is that the majority of folks who see it will be those who least need to. Christine (Mrs THIT) and I are already pretty environmentally aware and careful. Are we perfect? Hardly. But many people could stand to be as imperfect as we are, if you catch my drift.

And that's the thing with red-hot Rona. Even aside from the fact that the political party of which she's a part is not particularly known for environmental friendliness, there's really little in her bio to indicate that she has any experience dealing with environmental issues. She may be very well qualified, for all I know, but it's impossible to determine whether this is a job, or something legitimately close to her heart based on her background alone.

For some reason, I get the sense that she hasn't seen this thing. So I'll offer to take her to see it next time she's in town. I'll pay (call me old-fashioned). Hell, it's my idea, so I really should, though I have a feeling that she makes far more than I do. Call it a hunch. Afterwards, we'll sit through the credits long enough for her to give me her take on it, then that's it. She can go do her thing, and I can go home to my wife and wiener dog.

I don't think that's too much to ask. I'll prepare my e-mail tomorrow and see what happens. I've already written to her before to ask about their (the Conservative Party) take on wind power. I never received a response, but I just assumed that Smokin' Rona was too busy being hot. Hopefully the next time she's in town she has a spot open on her schedule for this Treehugger in Training.

Credit Where it's Due.

I mentioned being subscribed to many newsletters and action alerts and such. Recently, one of them (I believe the Clean Air Alliance, but don't quote me) asked its recipients to write to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to question the province's plans for cleaner energy sources.

Damned if, roughly a week later, I don't reach into my mailbox to find a letter from Mr McGuinty. Not only do I appreciate just the basic gesture, but particularly so because it wasn't a form letter. It was specific to my comments and questions.

My overwhelming laziness prevents me from typing out the whole thing, but the meat of it is:

We are on track to achieving our goal of 10% of Ontario's generation coming from renewable sources by 2010.

The projects, which include eight new wind farms and a waterpower project, will spur economic development in the renewable energy sector and will bring an estimated $2 billion in new investment to Ontario.

Keep up the great work, you sexy bastard! Peace out!

Okay, so I made up that last part.

I have to admit that I'm not overwhelmed by a 10% mark, however I view it like someone trying to lose weight; to lose 100 pounds, you can't get there without going through the process of losing 10 pounds first. Hopefully 10% is just the start and once reached they can look towards the next 10%.

In any event, I'd be lying if I said I've been a huge of this guy, but this is a good way to earn points. I was pleased to receive a response specific to what I wrote (especially since at first glance I thought I was being called up for jury duty!).

Saskabush

New link: Saskabush, a good Canadian satire site.

Despite being a supporter of theirs, I couldn't help but be cracked up by this in one of their articles:

OTTAWA (SBP) -- At the current pace of advancement, the Green Party will become a majority government in about 203 elections from now. Taking an average of roughly 3 years between elections and the 0.2% growth with each election, it will be a mere 609 years before the Greens can use their party platform as a matter of majority influence.

I shall wait patiently.

Bush Greenwatch

Speaking of Bush in the previous post...I guess updating this website could be a full-time job.

Bush Green Watch

"First, we would not accept a treaty that would not have been ratified, nor a treaty that I thought made sense for the country."

-President Bush on the Kyoto Climate Change Treaty, Washington Post, April 24, 2001

Makes perfect sense, George. Keep up the great work.

The Greens need me.

Despite spending more on this campaign than all previous ones combined, the Greens ended up only doing marginally better.

Walking to my bus stop this morning, I saw all the various headlines about the Conservative win. I was reminded that many people, right or wrong, are concerned that Harper will bend over for the Americans.

Then a bit of inspiration hit me for a Green Party t-shirt slogan. Get a load of this:

"I'd rather hug a tree than shake hands with a Bush"

Genius! I'd buy it. I'd buy two if they were made from hemp!

Anything Good on TV Tonight?

Christine and I have gone to do our duty and cast our votes a little earlier. As you could probably anticipate, we voted Green, like last time. That's not something we just sort of do because it sounds like something a treehugger in training would do, we like (most of) what they have to say.

For those who don't know, I actually joined the party a couple of months ago. No big deal, it's not as though I know a secret handshake now or anything, but I get access to the Member's Only part of their website (that's why they call it that) and a slightly louder voice. Anyway, I received an e-mail from them inviting me to an election party, since they're pretty optimistic about their chances.

It's difficult to shed perceptions. When I received this invitation, I had a vision of sitting around a table with a bunch of hippies eating sun flower seeds and drinking carrot juice all night. It's probably not like that at all. I hear that to watch the debates, those wacky bastard were munching on organic chips and salsa!

I kid, but really, at least it's a small indication of practicing what they preach. In any event, I didn't go simply because I wouldn't have known a soul there, but it might have been an interesting experience. I plan on keeping an ear to the ground with them, and maybe the next time around I'll attend, just for a new perspective.

So the results don't start coming in until 10PM. Yikes. I guess I'm in for a long night!