Patti's Network News

2011-10-13T08:36:00.001-04:00

Do you take your list members for granted? http://ping.fm/V0TtJ

Lady Gaga Tops Shoprunners Halloween Costume List

2011-10-12T11:09:00.000-04:00

Shoprunner’s list of the most popular Halloween costumes this year has been topped by no less than Monster Mama — Lady Gaga — no surprise considering she tends to dress for Halloween most of the year. .... read more

2011-10-11T16:29:00.001-04:00

Get some really good free stuff from Clickbank http://ping.fm/UGDGc

2011-05-01T06:06:00.001-04:00

Putting some thought into that final election decision http://ping.fm/a8pV8 elxn41 lpc ndp

2011-04-30T14:25:00.001-04:00

Putting some thought into that final election decision http://ping.fm/8iULR elxn41 lpc ndp

2011-04-28T10:29:00.001-04:00

We need to think twice before voting http://ping.fm/d5QcS

2011-04-21T13:17:00.001-04:00

Ignatieff FB townhall starting at 1:30pm.. a new first http://ping.fm/kjwbI elxn41 lpc

2011-04-21T12:59:00.001-04:00

pointer to article: Successful Selling on Social Media http://ping.fm/7RsVM by @smexaminer

2011-04-21T09:56:00.001-04:00

NDP Rising? Be careful what we wish for http://ping.fm/WLZyn elxn41

2011-04-20T15:46:00.001-04:00

Compromise is a word Harper needs to learn http://ping.fm/GB3Oa elxn41

2011-04-20T09:16:00.001-04:00

the cold hard facts for success http://ping.fm/RY7pV how many do you follow

2011-04-07T14:24:00.001-04:00

Well written post on the importance of this election http://ping.fm/6H9ur elxn41

2011-04-07T13:16:00.001-04:00

The sort of apology http://ping.fm/t5vU7 elxn41

2011-04-05T07:24:00.001-04:00

Let's not forget Harper's contempt http://ping.fm/GP98P elxn41

2011-03-10T09:03:00.001-05:00

Canada's democracy at risk? http://ping.fm/f2GQN

2011-03-07T16:59:00.001-05:00

How not to promote a product http://ping.fm/9wNLd

2011-03-01T14:33:00.001-05:00

Have you got a handle on finding keywords?
http://ping.fm/9yqft

2011-02-28T04:25:00.001-05:00

Have you taken that all important first step? http://ping.fm/y1Bku

2011-02-17T19:52:00.001-05:00

The issue is not about KAIROS funding http://ping.fm/WzzRm

2011-02-11T14:01:00.001-05:00

Just posted on Ides of May: Ordinary Courage http://ping.fm/lf04U

2011-02-11T11:20:00.001-05:00

This is most disturbing in a democracy http://ping.fm/x25dn answers are needed IMO

2011-02-10T15:11:00.001-05:00

Have you worked on your online business in fits and starts? http://ping.fm/XMPSs

2011-02-10T09:54:00.001-05:00

Finally, the Liberal party takes a stand on crime bill costs http://ping.fm/2tizp

2011-02-09T13:18:00.001-05:00

Just posted: http://ping.fm/ZTV6Z Stop the CRTC's stupidity

2010-08-03T13:42:00.001-04:00

Unreported crime rate "alarming", so's Stockwell Day http://su.pr/9NZdSH stockwell, cdnpolli precrime

2010-07-13T16:37:00.001-04:00

In case the Liberals are wondering what this Canadian thinks... http://su.pr/5ZpZlQ lpc

2010-07-12T15:51:00.001-04:00

Is your online business model keeping it simple? http://su.pr/2FCYVG

2010-07-12T12:01:00.001-04:00

We must not shrug off our democratic rights http://su.pr/1mpgvW when we lack vigilance, we all lose

2010-07-08T12:33:00.001-04:00

Eco fees -- a cash grab by any name. Will the consumer ever win? http://su.pr/4EOKTX

2010-06-28T14:31:00.001-04:00

We all lost with the G20 http://su.pr/4QwbVv my take on what I saw.

2010-06-23T05:04:00.001-04:00

Canadians deserve truth on spending http://su.pr/8kpJws

2010-05-25T13:33:00.001-04:00

I'm praying to get our flag to the top of the flag pole: http://ping.fm/ldjY8

2010-05-15T17:19:00.001-04:00

Father calls for Canada to finish the job in Afghanistan http://su.pr/1q8eMG

2010-05-12T17:05:00.001-04:00

Pardon System to be revamped http://su.pr/4kFIbO

2010-05-11T13:08:00.001-04:00

Local pharmacist needs to be careful what he dials up http://su.pr/27Ehx3

2010-05-06T19:29:00.001-04:00

Some memories shared of my grandfather http://su.pr/2hH3V4

2010-04-29T07:11:00.001-04:00

Milliken ruling more about democracy than detainees: http://su.pr/2tKqkp

2010-04-26T14:48:00.001-04:00

Arbour speaks truth to Canada's foreign policy http://su.pr/1Qmutw

2010-04-23T12:16:00.001-04:00

Jaffer's Associate Invokes Race Card: http://su.pr/7uGpUx

2010-04-20T17:48:00.001-04:00

Don't mess with the Americans & their flag, eh http://su.pr/239o54

2010-04-19T12:42:00.001-04:00

7 deadly copywriting mistakes not to make: http://su.pr/48juh2

2010-04-19T10:08:00.001-04:00

who wins air safety or commerce? http://su.pr/3pITGX

2010-04-18T11:37:00.001-04:00

Guergis affair is about more than her: http://su.pr/4d4liI

2010-04-17T05:25:00.001-04:00

A neat tool: Google Wonder Wheel http://su.pr/2uhvUa

2010-04-09T18:56:00.001-04:00

Google Says Speed Matters: http://su.pr/25Jb25

2010-04-09T10:30:00.001-04:00

Police check system broken: http://su.pr/2aaVwg

2010-04-08T08:04:00.001-04:00

Tradition isn't always right: But It's Tradition http://su.pr/1uOA2e

2010-04-07T08:11:00.001-04:00

No Quarter for Pedophiles http://su.pr/4CNXcC my take on the issue.

2010-04-06T17:33:00.001-04:00

You may enjoy this post if you are a tea drinker: http://su.pr/33B0l7

2010-03-30T12:21:00.001-04:00

I discovered the trees in the forest and my passion http://su.pr/2ieXiH

2010-03-29T16:58:00.001-04:00

16 Profs Way Offside on Project Hero http://su.pr/17HPhQ leave the innocent alone

2010-03-28T09:42:00.001-04:00

7 steps to getting more content produced http://su.pr/17Bza1

2010-03-25T07:52:00.001-04:00

Coulter's people brought on the cancellation http://su.pr/1A8DR1

Holocaust Denier Ordered Out of Argentina

2009-02-21T12:59:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
The government of Argentina has given Bishop Richard Williamson ten days to leave the country or face expulsion. Williamson has been at the centre of an international furor over his denial of the holocaust during WW2. Now he’s not alone in such denials but what has brought his particular hate message to world notice is that he is one of four bishops Pope Benedict has chosen to lift excommunication on.

Argentina accuses Williamson of having lied about his activities, specifically his employment while in the country. They have not shied away from also stating that Williamson’s views have influenced their decision to terminate his welcome in the country. With about 200,000 Jews living in Argentina, the largest Jewish population in Latin America, it is pretty understandable why he would be very unwelcome. -- read more

Obama Arrives in Ottawa Today

2009-02-19T13:45:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Barak Obama arrives in Ottawa today for his first foreign visit since taking office in January. Ottawa is the traditional stop for new presidents, although his predecessor chose to visit Mexico first. While the visit is for the most party barely registering on the American media, the Canadian media seems to be going gaga over the arrival.

Obama will be in the nation’s capital a mere 6 hours or so and is not expected to appear in public. Security will be massive, crowds are expected to be large on the hill as people gather in the hope of catching a glimpse of him. -- read more

Intimidation Wins This Battle in Quebec

2009-02-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. This pivotal event ended France’s dominance in North America and set the stage for the strong English presence. The National Battlefield Commission had plans in place and preparations well underway for a re-enactment of the battle on the Plains of Abraham this coming summer.

Historical re-enactments are a wonderful way to bring history to life, not to mention a great tourism draw, something much needed in the current economy. Quebec city would take a step back in time in an effort to portray life as it was at the time of the historic battle. -- read more

Hugging Is Not Your Right

2009-02-16T11:36:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
As you might have gathered from the headline, I’m heading into a bit of a soapbox rant. Before I do though, got something I want to share with you. As you know this past weekend was Valentines. I’m not a big fan of Valentines Day, mostly as it brings around a couple of bitter sweet anniversaries.

On the good side, on this date twenty-one years ago my nephew Maxwell was born. Hey Max, happy birthday dude. On the flipside, on the fifteenth, twenty-one years ago, my late husband had the heart attack that led to his death some eighteen months later.

Sometimes though, I come across something that I really can appreciate and this year is one of them. I’ve been messing about on the website Twitter for a while now. Two of the people I follow on there have quickly become among the group of people who I really enjoy their ‘tweets’. They are @MichaelHyatt and his wife @GailHyatt, who both write blogs that I’ve come to enjoy reading. -- read more

Zytaruk Needs Help to Sue Conservatives

2009-02-15T08:20:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Tom Zytaruk would like to sue the Conservatives for their continuing claims that the tape which launched the Chuck Cadman affair was doctored. The problem is that he would need a lawyer willing to work on a contingency basis or pro bono in order to afford it. So the defamation of this author continues unless that happens.

The court has found the tape was not doctored. There was a break in the tape, Zytaruk turned it off when Harper walked away from the conversation and back on when he returned. Pretty normal move to make. The Conservatives continue to claim as fact that the tape was doctored. Sort of a tell the lie often enough and it might be seen as truth. -- read more

Do You Twitter?

2009-02-12T13:59:00.001-05:00

Posted on: It's All About Money
If you have no idea what Twittering is, you probably are either new or you’ve been ignoring a lot going on. Twitter is a very popular microblogging site which allows you to post(tweet) 140 character ’slices’ of what your doing as often as you want. You follow other people who are twittering and people follow you. You can post about the mundane, the insane, the ups and the downs, the pain and the joy, whatever. The idea is to share and enjoy the interaction.

I didn’t get the whole Twitter thing when I first looked at it. Primary because, like Facebook, I couldn’t see how I could find the time to keep refreshing a website so I could see what other people were doing. Then I started to discover some of the Twitter tools that were available and started to understand the draw. -- read more

McGuinty Would Like His Personal Space - So Back UP!

2009-02-12T12:45:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Everytime I see one of those press scrums were members of the media not only have their mics pressed just about into the person’s face but are often practically close enough to kiss them, I want to throw up a wall and push the beggars back. See, I’m one of those people who really prefers to have some personal space around her. I hate crowds and especially ones that you can barely move without coming into contact with someone close by.

So, when I read the piece in the Globe & Mail about Premier Dalton McGuinty asking reporters to stand back about five feet from him, I had some empathy. The piece points out that McGuinty has tried to move reporters out of his face in a good natured manner over the years without success. I can understand that. -- read more

Canadian Heroes to Be Honoured Friday

2009-02-11T09:23:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Today’s post was originally going to be about the improvement the Liberals under Michael Ignatieff are enjoying in the public opinion polls. I’m happy to see that change but another item caught my attention. Without those who are part of this item and those who went before them, we would not have the democracy we have. Our opinions as citizens wouldn’t really matter.

I live on a section of the Trans Canada Highway 401 which has been officially renamed “the Highway of Heroes”. It is the section of highway stretching from Trenton (20 minutes east of me) to Toronto (90 minutes west of me) which every Canadian killed in service to Canada in Afghanistan has travelled with their families. It is along this stretch that thousands of Canadians turn out in the frigid cold of January, the searing heat of July and all the weather in between to salute our fallen Canadian and express our collective pain at their loss. -- read more

Ignatieff Slams MIA Prime Minister

2009-02-10T10:40:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Ignatieff went after the Prime Minister’s absence from both the House and the public scene when it comes to the economy and the value of the economic stimulus contained in the budget. I watched Obama’s press conference last night and found it refreshing to see a politician speaking very frankly about the state of the economy and how he wanted to see it dealt with.

Yes, I know, he was trying to sell a stimulus package which is receiving largely partisan opposition. It was refreshing to hear that opposition being framed not just as partisan game playing but asking the questions and laying out guidelines for what he sees as necessary for the good of the people and the economy and where there is room for bipartisan cooperation and what wont gain traction with him.

The major difference between the leadership of the two countries is that in the US, the leaders recognized and faced the fact that the economy was sliding towards and over the edge while in Canada, the Opposition parties were sounding the alarm while the government was busy telling us that if a recession was going to happen, it would have already taken place.-- read more

Australia Bush Fires Kill Record Number

2009-02-09T17:35:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
It’s hard to believe the utter devastation that bush fires in the state of Victoria in Australia has wrought. Almost 800 homes have been destroyed, countless vehicles and other structures, animals and upwards of 160 people and rising have lost their lives. Another 80 are in hospital. Almost 1300 square miles destroyed by raging fires that some describe as sounding like 5 or 6 airliners landing at once.

What is even more mind boggling is that it is believed that some of the estimated 400 fires were deliberately set. According to one report I found, at least two suspects are in custody. Between the drought that Australia has suffered with for months and record hot temperatures, it would take someone with a serious lack of gray matter between the ears to even thinking of striking a flame.-- read more

Monday Again Already?

2009-02-09T09:55:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
Man, it is hard to believe that another week has flown by again. Last week was busy though. The Legion Executive meeting was on Tuesday evening, I just barely made it in from Oshawa to chair that. Thankfully it wasn’t a long meeting.

Wednesday I spent most of the day cooking the meat for Friday night’s Roast Beef dinner at the branch. The roasts were about 25lbs each. I figured about 4 - 4.5 hours to get them done, putting them on at about 9:30 figuring on getting them out around 1pm and having time to slip into Cobourg to do some errands.

At noon the meat thermometer barely moved, so, I headed into Cobourg and did my errands. Back by 3pm, the roasts were done. All of Friday was spent at the branch helping to prepare the rest of the dinner. Back around 6am on Saturday to get breakfast for about 35 people underway. -- read more

Palin Finds Bloggers “Pathetic”

2009-02-05T13:22:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Sarah Palin, the failed American Vice-Presidential candidate, rails against “anonymous, pathetic bloggers” in an about to be released interview with Esquire magazine. In general she thinks that the media coverage of her was unfair.

From what I saw of the media coverage, I thought they were being as fair as they could to her. When someone is basically dumb and then produces behaviour to prove it, the media could have had a field day, but for the most part, they were pretty respectful. -- read more

Ignatieff Allows Protest Vote

2009-02-05T02:06:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
In the first test of his leadership, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has allowed a protest vote from six Newfoundland MPs. He’s drawn some criticism for having done so but since some of the sources are hacks like Tom Flanagan, a buddy of Harper, I don’t put a lot of stock in the criticism.

For some, the question is how can this be a one time exception? What happens next time Danny Williams brings pressure to bear?

If Ignatieff wants to set himself out as a reasoned alternative to Harper, he might want to rethink the ‘one time’ concept. He may want to giving some serious consideration to serving notice on Harper that punitive moves on any region of this country will resulting in him allowing protest votes from Liberal MPs in that region. -- read more

Cooler Heads Need to Prevail in Trade Issues

2009-02-03T11:17:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
OK, so US lawmakers have slipped in some “buy American” provisions into the stimulus bill that President Obama is trying to get passed into law. I expect that the people who had those provisions put into the package had the best of intentions towards the thousands (millions?) of Americans currently seeking work or on the verge of losing jobs.

In many ways the policy makes a lot of sense, when the people closest to you are hurting, why wouldn’t you want to move to give them a hand up? In fact, it is a bit hard to believe that any government wouldn’t have that approach as a first line of purchasing, buying from domestic sources if at all possible or even if it might cost the taxpayer a bit more in the long run. After all those firms don’t only pay taxes, they employ people who pay taxes. -- read more

Making Something New Again

2009-02-03T07:11:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
Monday was a pretty productive day for me. I was able to spend most of the day finishing off tweaking the new look for this blog and then revamped It’s All About Money for a relaunch. There are still a few tweaks but then doesn’t any blog need a few tweaks. Right now, it is more important for me to get content into it.

While Ides of May (this blog) is where I right more personal material, It’s All About Money is where I share the online experience, specifically about online marketing. I have three other blogs that I’m planning on revamping and relaunching in the coming weeks. Yeah, I know, I have to be nuts -- read more

The Sun Shines Today — finally

2009-02-02T09:39:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
Well, at the moment, the sun is out shining brightly. That is much nicer than what has been going on for what seems like the last week. Last Wednesday we had about a foot of snow in an all day snow fall.

Thursday we were supposed to get some ‘flurries’ which turned into about another foot of snow. Friday started off with flurries, just long enough to force me to cancel plans to attend a funeral and then settled down. Saturday more flurries brought another 6-7″ of the damn white stuff.

So far this winter, we’re only two months into it, we’ve had more snow than we had all of last winter and that was considered to be a high amount. February is not known for being light on snow. So, we have February and March to get through. -- read more

Conviction for Aiding Mountie Killer

2009-02-02T09:10:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
The friday headline refers to ‘harsh’ sentences being meted out to two men convicted of aiding James Roszko in the murder of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alberta in 2004. I’d hardly call the sentences harsh.

The two men, related by marriage, provided Roszko a gun and a ride that took him back to his farm and allowed him to murder the four RCMP officers who were guarding it. They knew he was a cop hater, they knew he was violent, they claim he bullied them into helping. -- read more

We Shall Remember Sapper Greenfield

2009-01-31T10:09:00.001-05:00

They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them

In memory of our fallen Canadian:

Sapper Sean David Greenfield - Afghanistan January 31, 2009

Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated

Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays

Actions Mightier Than Military Might

2009-01-31T09:31:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Remember earlier last November the savage attack on school girls in Afghanistan as they made their way to school? Men on motorcycles sprayed acid on the girls as they walked to school, seriously hurting one of them. It is believed that the attack was launched by the Taliban in an effort to stop girls from attending school.

Since then eight men have been rounded up and at least one of them has confessed. The attack sparked outrage in Afghanistan and around the world for the viciousness. In the days following the attack attendance at schools, especially for girls fell off. The young girl who was so badly injured spoke out that she was determined to return to school, that the attack was not going to stop her. -- read more

My Canada includes “O Canada”

2009-01-30T23:30:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
The principal at the Belleisle Elementary School in Springfield, New Brunswick pulled the daily singing of “O Canada” at the start of the 2007 school year. This has recently come to light as the result of a letter to a local paper. Many, if not most of the parents, were unaware of the decision by Erik Millet.

He claims that a couple of parents complained and in the spirit of accommodation and inclusiveness, he cancelled the singing for everyone. They do still sing the anthem at school assemblies. He hasn’t divulged why the alleged parents complained which has led to considerable speculation by people commenting on news stories of the controversy. -- read more

Layton Kills Coalition

2009-01-29T18:10:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of The Shadows
The coalition between the Liberals and NDP with the support of the Bloc is dead, killed by Layton. Layton’s behaviour leading up to and since the budget was delivered to the House has done nothing except prove what Harper’s Conservatives claimed that he was after, a power grab. For the Liberals to quickly fall in line behind Layton’s desires would be political suicide.

The difference between Ignatieff’s Liberals and Layton’s NDP is that they have and can form a government. Layton can only get there on the backs of the Liberals and he knows it. Had he truly been wanting to do what was right for the Canadian people, he’d have kept his mouth shut prior to the budget and taken a wait and see approach. -- read more

Government Will Survive

2009-01-28T18:04:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Well the budget has been read, what hadn’t already been ‘leaked’ is now known. Ignatieff and his caucuse has had time to review it and made the call on if the government will stand, for now.

From what I saw of the tax cuts, they have hit some areas where tax relief should be like low income earners and seniors. The cuts for the middle income people was more about Conservative idealogy and vote buying than any true benefit. While middle income earners will save a bit (and I do mean a bit) on their income taxes each year, that collective ‘bit’ will mean we stay in deficit longer. -- read more

The Gaza Debate

2009-01-27T18:02:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
You know, I’ve watched this situation in the Gaza strip going on. I can be some what detached from it all as I don’t have any direct connection to either side of the conflict other than it being in the area of the Holy Land which is where the roots of my own faith are.

I don’t even begin to understand all that goes on there other than the emnity and hatred on both sides runs deep. I expect that just as there are those on both sides of the divide who believe the other side is absolutely the agressors there are those of goodwill who mere want to live their lives in peace. -- read more

Parliament Opens, Let the Games Begin

2009-01-26T17:54:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Well, parliament has reopened without a lot of pomp and circumstance. The lack of show was more due to the frigid cold than any austerity move. I’ve been in Ottawa and around the Hill this time of year, it is VERY cold there. The throne speech, written by the government and delivered by the Governor General, was relatively brief as throne speeches go.

The big news of the day wasn’t really the throne speech anyways. The bigger news is the budget that will be delivered tomorrow. Many of the details of the budget has been ‘leaked’, although when the leaking gets done by government officials and ministers, that is deliberate. -- read more

New Year, New Look

2009-01-24T11:54:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
Finally getting around to paying attention to my blogs. You may notice that I’ve just put a new look on this blog using a theme that I found on 50 Beautiful Free WordPress Themes. I found that link from a tweep on Twitter. Are you following me on Twitter yet?

The theme at this point is right out of the box. I have some tweaks I want to do to it yet to make it more ‘me’ but I like the overall look for this blog. This blog is sort of a notebook of my life so the theme just called to me to put it to use. Right now it is more important that I actually put some content into the blog than to just play with the esthetics. -- read more

Budget Time Approaching

2009-01-24T08:10:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
All eyes will be on Ottawa for the next few days leading up to Tuesday’s budget reading. It’s been a bit of an odd path to this budget. First we had an election that Harper called because he claimed that Parliament had become dysfunctional, which was true but largely because he and his people chose to make it so.

During that election, Harper either was blind to the fact that an economic tsunami was bearing down on the world or was deluded enough to actually believe that it would miraculously wash itself around Canada while engulfing our largest trading partner, the USA. He belittled the opposition when they spoke of the need to take immediate measures to offset the coming storm. He did note however that the stock market meltdown that was underway did provide some excellent buying opportunities. He didn’t seem to notice that those losing their shirt to create those opportunities, included Canadians. -- read more

Prime Minister is Not Directly Elected

2009-01-23T15:15:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Next week Parliament will once more resume, the second time since the October 14th election. The first sitting lasted a matter of days before Harper’s lapdog Flaherty aka the Finance Minister made an economic statement that accomplished nothing else except getting the three opposition parties talking to each other in a serious way.

Oh, it also brought about a very swift transition of power for the Liberals as Dion left and Ignatieff was installed as leader. He will have to be confirmed as leader at their convention in May but at the rate things are moving, that will be a rubber stamp. Flaherty’s statement provoked the three opposition parties to put together an agreement to form a coalition government to propose to the Governor-General after they had brought down the government on a vote of non-confidence. -- read more

Obama Takes the Reigns

2009-01-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
I started this post yesterday but my site went down, then I had to go to work and time shifted by until yesterday’s post is now today’s. c’est la vie!

Well, the world watched as Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th American President. I don’t normally follow American politics beyond the most basic information. The Americans are after all, the next door neighbour to my own country and what happens there has an effect on Canada. Do I hang on their every sneeze, no, as small as our little boys in Ottawa are, they are the ones who truly impact my life.

I watched fascinated and almost unable to believe what I was watching as the first black American took the reigns of power. I’ve said it before in these pages, I never ever thought it would be possible for that to happen in the USA of all places in my life time. This man is a man like no other, of any colour. -- read more

Debt Related Deaths

2009-01-06T08:41:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
I’ve been watching the reports out of Quebec about the family that parents allegedly formed a suicide pact after killing their three children. While the husband died, the wife survived and is now charged with three counts of murder and one of assisted suicide.

Having experienced depression myself, I can understand someone reaching their breaking point. I have to stop short of understanding what drives a person not to have enough of the will to survive to reach for help but it is not impossible to understand that depth of depression. -- read more

We Will Remember Them

2008-12-28T08:18:00.000-05:00

They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them

In memory of our fallen Canadians:

Pte Michael Freeman - Afghanistan December 26, 2008
WO Gaetan Roberge - Afghanistan December 27, 2008
Sgt Gregory Kruse - Afghanistan December 27, 2008

Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated

Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays

Still in London

2008-12-27T20:25:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
I haven’t left London yet, I had planned to depart this morning but heavy fog made me decide to remain an extra day. I really hate travelling when visibility is reduced. My sister tells me she was glad that I was staying another day and it has been fun spending some more time with my great-nephew Apollo. It’s only the second time I’ve seen him and he’s almost 2 years old.

As we were kicked back yesterday enjoying the post Christmas lull word came through my email that the peace of the season had been broken by the death of yet another Canadian soldier in Afghanistan. The young man is from Peterborough which is only about an hour from where I live. Pte Freeman had just returned to Afghanistan after having a home leave which allowed him to celebrate with his family what would turn out to be his final Christmas. -- read more

Merry Christmas To All

2008-12-25T20:22:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
It’s the pre-dawn of Christmas morning here in London, Ontario and the rest of the house is still slumbering away. Likely most of the city is slumbering except those homes with excited children who are itching to wake up parents and get on to the business of the day — opening presents. It’s all adults in this home. My adult niece and nephew will be arriving later today and my almost 2 year old grand-nephew will be visiting on Boxing Day.

Let me take this opportunity in the peaceful quiet at the beginning of a new day to wish you all a merry Christmas. Christmas Day is the one day of the year when most of us can set aside every day worries and stresses for other worries and stresses like will the present be right? or will the turkey be cooked on time? or … insert whatever. Those are stresses we can live with. -- read more

Busy Busy Days

2008-12-14T20:20:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
Getting involved in the Legion, at least the Colborne Legion, seems to mean that from October 31st until January 2nd, time seems to fly by in a blur. There is what needs to be done that we expect and then what has to be done that is unexpected but needs to be fit in, you know, things like having a bit of a life.

The Poppy Campaign hadn’t even ended when it was suddenly time to make arrangements for people to start applying for Christmas hampers. Christmas.. jeeeze it seemed like that was a long way off just days ago and it wasn’t even Remembrance Day yet. Interspersed in there was a couple of dinners, branch meetings & Santa Claus parade and before long.. November is over. Officially, so was the hamper applications but that doesn’t stop them coming in. -- read more

Ignatieff Takes the Liberal Helm

2008-12-11T08:55:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Life must be a bit bittersweet these days for Stephane Dion. As much as I’m sure he would have liked to have left the leadership of the Liberals under different circumstances, he did so with as much grace as could be mustered under the circumstances. Bob Rae also made a class act exit from the leadership race that cleared the way for the party to put Michael Ignatieff in as ‘interim’ leader. He’ll have to be confirmed at the convention which is still scheduled for May. -- read more

They Are Not Just Numbers

2008-12-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
With this post I’m passing the milestone of 500 posts to this blog. It is almost ironic that today’s post is about the latest deaths in Afghanistan. The media has been making much of the fact that the three Canadians killed Friday in an IED attack crosses the ‘threshold’ of 100 deaths during the Afghanistan mission. For the families of the men killed, their friends and their communities they are not 98, 99 and 100 — they are Mark Mclaren, Demetrios Diplaros and Robert Wilson — men who believed in the mission and died trying to see it succeed.

I’m not a person who is moved to tears often but the deaths of each Canadian in Afghanistan moves me. I’ll be one of the Canadians up on the bridges tomorrow. Standing to the left of the Legion colour party, our Sgt-at-Arms will be standing on the right. As the procession approaches he’ll call out “Branch 187 — to our fallen comrades — salute!” -- read more

Parliament Suspended - Harper Has Reprieve, For Now

2008-12-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Harper has concluded an over two hour meeting with the Governor General and has had his request to porogue parliament granted. The move is clearly to avoid confidence motions scheduled to take place in the House on Monday. While he’s busy accusing the Liberal-NDP coalition of making a power grab, he’s made it just as clear that he will cling to power at all cost.

Had the GG not consented to his request, which she could have refused since it was clearly an avoidance move, then she would have had to have chosen between an election, barely 2 months after the last one, or asking the Liberal-NDP coalition to take the reigns. -- read more

The Bully Teeters on the Edge

2008-12-02T13:20:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Well, I must say I’m a tad surprised but intrigued. I have been watching the reports over the last several days about the Liberals, NDP and Bloc in talks about forming a coalition government to bring down Harper and his gang of bullies. I didn’t really expect that the egos in the group would manage to tone themselves down enough to actually work out an agreement. I’m a bit impressed, now to see if it can be sustained.

Seems to me since the Liberals and the NDP have managed to work out an agreement with the pledged support of the Bloc for about a year, that those three have at least got it that compromise is needed to make government work. That is a lot more than Harper has managed to get and actually carry through on — and he has a lot more to loose. -- read more

Ottawa Soap Opera Continues

2008-12-01T13:18:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
One thing I’ve always found a bit of a pain about soap operas are their rather long drawn out plot (or lack thereof). Someone deciding to create a soap of the latest goings on in Ottawa might just get my attention. So let’s see, the story to this point…..

On October 14th, Canadians granted the Conservatives yet another minority government in the general election. At the same time that was taking place, the world’s economy (including Canada’s) was going to hell in a handbasket at a rate that few even mused about. The Liberals and the NDP both campaigned with promises of economic stimulus while the Conservatives don’t worry, be happy approach until the polls showed them dropping hard over their lack of notice to the economy. All three parties declared that Canada would not run a deficit under their watch. -- read more

Democracy Being Pushed Aside?

2008-11-29T13:16:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
It appears life has become ‘interesting’ in Harper’s Ottawa. At this point, he could well be hanging on by a fraying thread to his minority government. The current state of affairs has been brought about by his own inability to recognize that Canadians haven’t trusted him with a majority to govern with. Being in a minority position usually means a bit of reaching out and compromise — but not Harper.

His little man of confederation — Flaherty brought down an economic update statement on Thursday. The statement was the usual hot air that we get from politicians of all stripes accompanied by no indication that the Conservatives are actually moving to do anything to keep the economy moving. Interestingly enough, Flaherty was flying in the face of what his boss had been touting only a week before in Chile. -- read more

Rae Needs to Grow UP!

2008-11-17T14:23:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
The Liberal leadership race has barely started to get underway and he’s thrown his first hissy fit. Riding executives were gathered in Toronto yesterday for a question and answer session with the three declared candidates. The meeting was setup by Liberal executives to be a closed door session. Ignatieff agreed to that while Leblanc and Rae wanted it opened to the media. Since all three couldn’t agree the original format was maintained. -- read more

One Brave Young Lady

2008-11-16T05:55:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
The seventeen year old girl Afghan girl who suffered an acid attack on her way to school last week has vowed to continue her schooling. While no one has claimed responsibility, it appears that the attacker was likely a Taliban operative.

The Taliban, when they were in power, violently suppressed the education of most of the young people but especially young girls. -- read more

Ignatieff to Run For Liberal Leadership

2008-11-13T12:51:00.000-05:00

Posted On: Out of the Shadows
Michael Ignatieff has announced his intention to run for the Liberal Leadership. He ran and lost the last time in a contest that was bitterly fought with former NDP Premier of Ontario Bob Rae. In the last race Ignatieff had recently returned to the country after many years away in high profile teaching positions. I objected to his leadership on that basis the last time. -- read more

PickupPal Illegal in Ontario

2008-11-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
The Toronto Star reports today that the Ontario Highway Transport Board has ruled the activities of PickupPal illegal in Ontario. The site is a ride sharing site operated from Roseneath, Ontario with members from around the world. The idea is to reduce pollution through coordinating car pooling. Some public transit firms like Trentway Wager had asked the board to rule on the site under the Public Vehicles Act. -- read more

Highway of Heroes on NBC Nightly News

2008-11-11T20:48:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
In a rare moment of notice from our neighbours to the south, a segment on the Highway of Heroes which stretches from Trenton to Toronto along Canada’s busiest highway the 401 was broadcast on NBC on our Remembrance Day. Myself and a contingent from my Legion branch are among those who stand on those bridges in all weather to show our regard and our respect for those who have given their lives in Afghanistan. -- read more

Rotary Club Presentation

2008-11-10T21:12:00.000-05:00

Posted on: Ides of May
In my role as Legion President I was asked to be the guest speaker at the Colborne Rotary Club meeting tonight. Here are my remarks: -- read more

Sacrifice Medal Criteria to Be Reviewed

2008-11-06T15:07:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
Back in July the Governor General approved a new medal for our forces. The Sacrifice Medal was meant to replace the often understated ‘wound stripes’ worn be Canadian Forces personnel when they were wounded. The new medal was to cover wounds as the direct result of hostile action and could be earned posthumously. It also includes those who suffer PTSD as a result of hostile action. -- read more

Obama’s Big Shoes

2008-11-05T15:05:00.001-05:00

Posted on: Out of the Shadows
To read the papers today one gets the sense that Obama’s victory in the American election has sparked an almost messianic response. Expectations seem to be high that Obama is going to change not only the USA but every other problem in the world. Unless he’s hiding the fact that he’s Christ incarnate, that would be pretty much impossible. -- read more