Alberta Election

The tally is done for the provincial election.

I read “landslide” somewhere.

/i sent this post by email on the 4th, the nite of the election. It only now shows up online. meh.

Kenyan Rivals Share Power?

“Mr. Kibaki has agreed to create a prime minister post, as demanded by the opposition, but it was unclear what powers a premier would have and how many cabinet jobs Mr. Odinga's side would get.” - Globe & Mail

Key points to power sharing deal

Leaders May Share Kenya

"Kenya's rival political parties moved toward an agreement to share power, the chief mediator said Friday, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the postelection crisis that has left more than 1,000 people dead." - Globe & Mail

"Kenya's ruling party and opposition could be just days away from a final political settlement to end post-election bloodshed, officials say." - BBC News Africa

Rethinking the Reserve

Shackled by red tape: "Even when First Nations wants to get ahead they find that leveraging their land is far from easy" - National Post
/worth the read

Violence in Kenya

Ethnic Violence reignites in Kenya

Yeah, ODM & PNU are talking... but the communication (as blunt as it is) is not all it's cracked up to be.

Friends traveling to Africa with AIA this April have been encouraged to drop Kenya from their destination list... instead spending a longer stay in Zambia.

Alberta Homeless Secretariat

"The focus of the secretariat, which reports to the Honourable Yvonne Fritz, Associate Minister of Affordable Housing and Urban Development, will be to develop and oversee the implementation of a 10-year strategic plan to address homelessness across Alberta. It will work closely with municipalities to co-ordinate and support the development of their community plans to ensure the homeless are receiving the services and support they need." - Alberta Government Press Release
"MURRAY PROKOSCH, Member - Mr. Prokosch is from Medicine Hat where he gained 20 years of experience in the construction industry, leading to the creation of Classic Construction Ltd., a company that provides housing for first-time buyers."

Local Developer Appointed to Secretariat - Medicine Hat News

ODM PNU: Talking?

The Standard, Kenya's national newspaper reports that Kibaki & Odinga are talking, it just doesn't appear that they are talking to one another; yet.

"That was how close President Kibaki and Raila were to the negotiating table yesterday - as Mombasa exploded with teargas and mayhem.

The two extremes were what peacemakers were trying to bring together as a humanitarian crisis loomed in Nairobi due to disruption of the traditional food supply chain into the heavily populated capital." - AllAfrica.com

Kenyan Economy Taking Dive

"Until last week, Kenya was one of the most promising countries on the continent, but the ethnic violence, fueled by political passions, is threatening to ruin that reputation. The economy, one of the biggest in Africa, has ground to a halt. Roads are blocked. Shops are closed. Factories are idle. The currency, the Kenyan shilling, is taking a dive." - NY Times

An excellent, thoughtful post by Kenyan blogger Bankelele. Well worth the read! It casts a slightly different, if ominous perspective that only a local could provide.
/great choice of black and white pic for the post, by the way!

Kenyan Tipping Point

Blogging was quiet over New Years, we were out of town.
i commented in a post last week that the Kenyan election "might not end well".
It has escalated.

How the polls were messed up - "THE heavy cloud hovering Kenya's future has been further darkened by the Chairman of Electoral Commission (ECK) Samuel Kivuitu who admitted that he is not sure whether incumbent Mwai Kibaki actually won last week's presidential elections." Read that whole article, it has even more damning news related to the election, and how it appears to have been corrupted.

- For articles like that and many more, visit this Kenya news page by AllAfrica.com

- BBC News Africa continues to be a good resource.

Canada is reported within The Standard, Kenya's National Newspaper; "the Canadian Foreign Affairs minister, Maxime Bernier, urged the Government to urgently address the election irregularities in a timely, transparent and thorough manner. The minister also criticised the suspension on live broadcasts. "The suspension of live broadcasts, irregularities in reporting of results and any move to restrict legitimate scrutiny of election results are serious concerns."

The Toronto Star reports Canada's Foregn Affairs Minister.

I spoke with a good friend this morning regarding mission & humanitarian travel to Kenya; groups expect travel to Kenya to be postponed, suspended or canceled all together, just as many countries begin advising travel to Kenya be avoided. Kenya, stable and reasonably safe these last few years, is in the midst of a potential tipping point. Not good.

ECK Declares President

"Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki won Thursday's closely-fought election, the electoral commission has declared.
Mr Odinga had led since vote counting began, but saw his advantage evaporate as later votes were added." - BBC News Africa

Just hours after the ECK declared the winner of the Kenyan Presidential Election, Mwai Kibaki was sworn in as President of Kenya, his second five year term.

I've lightly blogged the process for Kenya here and here.

Considering the enormous calls for election rigging, and the ease with which violence can occur, this might not end well.

I have sent an email to a good friend living in Nairobi. I'll post his assessment when received.

ECK: ODM Ahead of PNU

Acronym central; The Presidential election being tallied right now in Kenya. - BBC News - Africa

ECK: Electoral Commission of Kenya

ODM: Orange Democratic Movement

PNU: Party of National Unity

/But still, no winner declared.

Kenya's Presidential Election

Votes have been cast. Votes are being counted. The President of Kenya will be announced.

"This is the toughest political race Kenyans have ever seen.

The big question this time round is not simply who will become the president of this booming East African economy, but whether the vote will be seen by the losing side as legitimate.

The Kenyan electoral commission says it will not release results at night, for fear of violent repercussions. " - BBC News Africa

Links: Brent, Tawm & Steve

My father asked me for a link to the Brent & Tawm Rosendal blog. Here it is: Brent & Tawm are in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

i mentioned to that Mouse of Danger that he might enjoy the banter at another politico site i frequent. For his benefit, and yours if your surfing the web, here is a link to Steve Janke's site: Angry in the Great White North. Visit "Angry" for discussions about news and the issues of the day, predominantly federal politics (which as everyone already knows, are always a good time)

Mayors Breakfast

The civic election is done, and tomorrow morning will be upon us soon.

The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Sunrise Rotary Club (my club) are hosting the Mayor's Breakfast.

It's almost time to have breakfast with the new mayor. Good times.

2007 Civic Election Results Medicine Hat

48 of 48 Voting Stations Reporting.
47.46% Voter Turnout.

For the Office of
Mayor Preliminary Results Percentage
BOUCHER, Normand 10551 55.58%
GRIMM, Ted 4471 23.55%
COCKS, Bill 2112 11.13%
BOYD, Stewart 1580 8.32%
MacLEAN, Dave R.B. 268 1.41%

For the Office of
Alderman Preliminary Results
FRIESEN, Julie 9680
HAMILL, John 9134
SCHNEIDER, Ty 8379
KELLY, Graham 8102
CLUGSTON, Ted 7681
DUMANOWSKI, Robert C. 7592
THOMPSON, Jeremy O. 7229
WHITE, Jamie 6141
PEARSON, Les 5964
VARGA, Brian 5834
STAPLES, Betty 5540
SPEERS, Harv 5121
MARTIN, Leslie 4174
GRANT, (Des) Desmond 3502
COWAN, Scott 3152
HOFFMAN, Tyler 2788
OGSTON, Jim 2632
FRANCHETTO, Marco Luciano 1800
HOLLAND, Stu 1456
PATTISON, Carl 1448
McFALL, Fred 1392
TUDOR, Robert 846
BURTT, Richard Frederick 638

/posted here for posterity. (City Hall link)

Escapa 26.797

26.797 seconds!




Click here to see the pic in full size, if you care.


I first got this *Air Force* game Friday afternoon from someone at work. My afternoon was shot from that point on. The game says if you beat 18 seconds you are "doing brilliantly".

I'm not anywhere near *air force* material (120 seconds), but i am doing better than brilliantly, which is gratifying.

This is a good way to pass the minutes while i wait for all 48 polling stations in Medicine Hat to report.

3.03% reporting

I must admit i'm a little surprised that medhatblog doesn't have an "election conversation thread" yet... i'd rather not take over one of their current conversations but, where else could i post that after 3.03% of the vote (1 station out of 48) Norm Boucher has 53% of the popular vote?
How about right here, to start things off:

For the Office of
Mayor Preliminary Results Percentage
BOUCHER, Normand 653 53.97%
GRIMM, Ted 343 28.35%
COCKS, Bill 109 9.01%
BOYD, Stewart 92 7.60%
MacLEAN, Dave R.B. 13 1.07%

Link

Now, KEEP IN MIND this early in the game, it means absolutely nothing... but it will serve as a conversation starter. Once medhatblog opens up the gates. :)

Civic Preliminary Results

Patiently waiting for 8:05 pm.

"Watch for Preliminary Results starting at 8:05:00 PM on Monday, October 15, 2007."

Then, i'm off to medhatblog to talk about it...

Municipal Elections Eve

Tomorrow the City of Medicine Hat elects a new mayor. Tomorrow the City of Medicine Hat elect several new alderman, at the very least. Tomorrow is an exciting day, i for one am looking forward to casting a vote. Casting a vote, and then waiting patiently for democracy to be counted...

Good fun.

Housing Vital Signs 2007

We shared our Rotary meeting this morning with special guests. We did see most of the aldermanic candidates, as well as Mayoral candidate Bill Cocks. That was nice, but not the special guests i was referring... no, the special guests were from throughout the community, all in attendance to hear first hand how the Medicine Hat & Southeastern Alberta Community Foundation would release their Medicine Hat Vital Signs 2007 Report. (The breakfast was good, as always)

The sub heading Housing within the report had, among other things, this to say;

"Alberta has seen a 19% increase in multiple family residential building starts between 2005 and 2006. In Medicine Hat the number of similar housing starts in 2006 was 545, an increase of 43% from 2005. "

It is good to know that CCL has played a significant part in providing the multi-family answer to the housing continuum right here in Medicine Hat.

Civic Election

Medicine Hat has 5 mayoral candidates to choose from this civic election. The three front runners for Mayor (no incumbent running) have all responded to DM's offer over at medhatblog.

Submit your platform, and respond to the questions raised by the 17,000 viewers of the blog. That is a lot of traffic. Specific traffic too, as an aside, the blog should probably be monetized, but that is just me. Skeet & DM must know better, but i doubt it. ;)

Norm Boucher was the first candidate to take up DM's offer;

Norm Boucher gives his platform
The back and forth has been good, and vote for him or not as a candidate, he has taken the time to answer questions, even the hard ones.

The second candidate was past City mayor Ted Grimm;

Ted Grimm gives his platform
Mr Grimm seems to have missed the question and answer concept of the forum, but he has some supporters or campaigners who have taken it upon themselves to be heard. Good fun.

The third candidate is past Alderman Bill Cocks;

Bill Cocks gives his platform
This thread has just started, and so hasn't picked up post & comment steam quite yet. It also appears that there might be some technical difficulties. Kind of like when the mike doesn't work during a live forum, only not. Either way, the first comment was about the Esplanade, and it will get rolling from there.

Will the other two candidates submit to the forum, i hope they take advantage of this opportunity to speak.

First Civic Campaign Sign Spotted

I was driving today(as an aside; i like to drive, it could have been a career choice: end aside) anyhoo, i was driving today and spotted the first Medicine Hat Civic campaign sign i have seen so far this year. The election is a month (give or take a couple days) away, and i imagine we will see many many more signs before this one is thru.

It's been a long time since we had such a full candidate card for Mayor. This will be interesting.

Top of Dunmore Hill you may have seen, like i did, a sign for Jim Ogston. Jim is no stranger to Medicine Hat's civic politics or elections, having run several times in the past. He has run a strong platform and i encourage his willingness to incite debate. Mr. Ogston, whom i've never met, is a regular contributor to the medhatblog forum, and his often well thought out comments are well worth the read.

Speaking of medhatblog, Dangermouse has availed the blog for campaign platforms, and in a quick response, mayoral candidate Norm Boucher gets right to the point.

Monte stays in Federal Cabinet

As a personal fan of Monte and his political career, it was good to see that he was kept on after the shuffle.

"Minister of Human Resources and Social Development — Monte Solberg." - globeandmail.com

/wise move Harper, Solberg's star continues to rise.

State-run paper reports *suicide*

"BEIJING — — The head of a Chinese toy manufacturing company at the centre of a huge North American recall has committed suicide, a state-run newspaper said Monday."

And another comment, from the same article at the Globe & Mail

"It is common for disgraced officials to commit suicide in China."

Sadly, it seems that this man might have merely beat his government to the punch, so to speak. China's Draconian Response.

NIMBY

Not In My Back Yard. - Wikipedia definition

When change, however minor or reasonable... even necessary is proposed to a residential neighborhood, NIMBY will likely rear it's ugly, garish and selfish head. As has recently happened over in the UK;

"Residents' association chairman Malcolm Webb, a 58-year-old oil executive, denied residents were 'nimbys'.

"This is just the wrong place and the wrong property," he said." - Daily Mail UK

Human nature can be so disappointing.

Recycling Myths

Not in an effort to talk you out of recycling, but rather in an effort to keep our support for recycling grounded in reality, i give you this link:

RECYCLING RUBBISH
EIGHT GREAT MYTHS ABOUT WASTE DISPOSAL

By Daniel K. Benjamin PERC Reports

/Well worth the read.

China's Draconian Response

"China on Tuesday executed its former chief food and drug regulator for taking bribes to approve medicines, in an apparently draconian warning to other officials after a series of scandals about the quality of Chinese products." - Financial Times - Asia Pacific

/i'm not sure this makes me feel any better, tho how you and i *feel* is exactly why this was done.

Keeping up with Mukesh

Like me, i'm sure you've read, or heard about more and more families changing pace. Selling their homes in Alberta, and moving east. Maybe to Saskatchewan which is advertising pretty heavy in Alberta that their quality of life is better. Often tho, folks move farther east, out to the east coast. Good friends joined us for dinner tonight, in two weeks they will be in their new home in New Brunswick. They showed pictures, what a house (an acreage on the water). I can't say i'm not tempted with the concept myself... (property values are pretty reasonable, especially compared to Alberta's hot market.

Mind you, this next link is just a tad excessive... or freaking excessive, depending on how you are scoring at home.

"This 60-storey house is for just one family.

India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is planning a palace in the heart of Mumbai with helipad, health club, hanging gardens and six floors of car parking. "

In the middle of all of this jibber-jabber about housing and affordability... i present to you, the utmost in NON affordable housing... not even attainable.



"Construction has already started on what will eventually be a 175m tower and planners are aiming to complete it in September 2008.

Earlier this year, Forbes rated Mr Ambani as the richest resident Indian with a net worth of US$20.1 billion.

He came 14th in Forbes' 2007 worldwide rankings. "

Prince in Suffield

"SUFFIELD — Royalty touched down at CFB Suffield with the arrival of Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne who is now training at the southern Alberta base for a tour of duty in war-torn Afghanistan." - Calgary Sun

Harry is just down the road.

Monte Praises CCL

I mentioned in a prior post that while speaking at the 39th Annual Congress of the CHRA the Honourable Monte Solberg heaped praise on Murray Prokosch & Classic Construction.

"And, of course, through flexible financing, CMHC is also helping private sector builders make a difference in their communities. In my own community of Medicine Hat, for example Murray Prokosh, of Classic Construction Limited, has developed hundreds of privately owned affordable housing units in partnership with the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society and CMHC, and I want to acknowledge Murray." - Link to the entire speech, hosted on Monte Solbergs site.

Ribbon Cutting

Friday was a good day.
Let me correct that statement:

Friday was a great day;

I was lucky enough to serve as MC at a pretty important event: The dual ribbon cutting ceremonies for both the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society's latest affordable rental development the Centennial Housing Project, as well as the ribbon cutting for Classic Communities Northlands Pointe development.

In the middle of a hot Friday afternoon, under a large white tent i had the privilege to introduce the President of the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, Peter Wilde, the MLA for Cypress - Medicine Hat, Len Mitzel. Our City Mayor Garth Vallely & Classic Communities President Murray Prokosch. We had arranged for Monte Solberg to be in attendance, as the Federal Government had recognition to give Murray & Classic. I was looking forward to introducing Monte, and i was especially looking forward to hearing him speak... as he is always well spoken. As it was, i introduced one of his staff in his place, Mr. Solbergs schedule changed and he was unable to attend. Disappointing to say the least.

You probably had to be there, but i had a great gag regarding "running with scissors" that i'd been pretty excited to share. Good times!

39th Annual Congress

I spent last week in Calgary repping CCL at the Canadian Housing & Renewal Associations' 39th Annual Congress.
Congress was located on Stephens Ave at this little spot.
Of course, no trip downtown Calgary is complete without a trip or three to the Falafel King. It's that good.

The congress was good. Monte Solberg spoke with glowing support for Classic and what we are doing for attainable housing in Medicine Hat.

/Toastmasters came in real handy this weekend, i was honored to introduce the final plenary speakers. That was by far the largest (and likely well dressed) room i've addressed so far. Good times.

Warrens Musings

Warren Kinsella has this profound comment to make regarding politics. (i love it - the quote i mean, politics, not so much)

"April 20, 2007 - In politics, big graves are dug by small shovels. Around the watercoolers of nations, they don't talk about standing committee business."

/Warren is polar (tons of folks LOVE to hate him), which is one reason i love him (he's real)... the other reason? he's a no - holds - barred blogging punk rocker - politico. It really doesn't get much better than that.

Angus Votes on Vallely

The internets is a big place. Look what i found:

Angus Reid Forum has the following question:

"IS GARTH VALLELY DOING A GOOD JOB AS MAYOR OF MEDICINE HAT?"

YES 33%

NO 67%

So far. NO idea how many folks have voted. No, i didn't put this up... but i did find it on the Ads By Google links on this site. I suppose Angus Reid is paying google to advertise, and my content triggers relevance. Go ahead and vote now... or not. Just be sure to vote this October in our civic election. Get out to VOTE!

***** UPDATE *****
The same site is polling for approval ratings of Ed Stelmach as well (Ed being our current Premier)

Philanthropy

Heh.
There is a happy medium:
Slim "...has derided Gates and Buffett for giving away so much of their wealth, reportedly saying: "Poverty isn't solved with donations," according to Forbes.

Building businesses, he reportedly said, did more for society than "going around like Santa Claus." - Mexican Magnate becomes world's second richest man (behind Gates, but just ahead of Buffett)

/Seems to be a topic i've been tracking recently. Subconsciously at best. (as posted here, prior to that post, this commentary on spending 90 followed by six more zeros. There was this uber rich guy giving away houses and then: Then there was this local politico who takes a decided "us vs them" stance on finances within the community (here's a tip, she selected the WRONG side).

Let me give you an example of what i call a happy medium to the rich mans philanthropic plight (as Slim alludes to): (thanks to Mr Martin for the link), Kiva.com lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur in the developing world - empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty!"

Open Letter re Downtown Revitalization

Dear members of the City Centre Ad Hoc Committee;

I read this press release from the City of Medicine Hat (Media Release 3 April, 2007) with mixed response (another Downtown Study?) i'm weary, and i hate to say that.

Downtown Revitalization is close to my heart. Not merely due to the personal investment i made in owning and operating a retail business for almost 10 years in our City core, nor the fact that i was blessed to sit on the Downtown Business Revitalization Board for almost five years (or was it six?). Those were great years...

I find it interesting (and it may be the lack of sleep talking) but, this article asking "Can Aid bring an end to poverty?" (BBC Africa) regarding Africa juxtaposes well our current City options, or at least the options as this press release leads me to believe.

""The best tonic for poverty is growth, and the growth has come where the government has de-controlled and allowed competition and enterprise to flourish." - Comments from the above linked BBC Africa article. (there are lots more, and it is definitely worth the read, for a mix of viewpoints if nothing else)

"The Committee’s recommendation includes:
• The City redeveloping an existing property or developing a new project in the city centre using “Smart Growth” principles. In addition, the Committee encouraged the City to consider partnerships, incentives and/or alternatives to ensure the project proceeds.
• The City implementing specific physical development guidelines that will provide direction to future development projects in the city centre.
• The City moving quickly on its commitment to do a Downtown Redevelopment Study." (lifted directly from the above linked Media Release)

I'll cut and paste a couple brief talking points from the above text:

"City to consider partnerships, incentives and/or alternatives"
- Please do this rather than spending more City money on redeveloping existing property. Merely throwing more City money at this issue is a sort of pandora's box which is best left alone from a civic political stand point (Please head this opinion). Further, from a marketing stand point, if we could, as a community (or at least as City leadership) drop from our vernacular this all to common perspective that the City needs to save us (us being those vested in downtown revitalization) we might further separate the concept of Downtown Revitalization from one current view: That Revitalization is merely a hand-out for the (apparently) slowly diminishing business' within the Core. We would do well to consider the perspective of the City at large, and address this perspective (if it isn't already to late for most). This is specifically where i bridge the comments made about Aid within the above BBC article and our City's Revitalization process. (i fear i'm rambling, it is late)

"The City implementing specific physical development guidelines"
- With these guidelines you intend to present, it is (in my humble opinion) imperative that you also bring to the table concessions of some sort. Not hand outs... but open dialog with developers & current building owners. Make their lives a little easier (it does not need to be merely a dollar and cents issue). My fear would be driving away honest free market interest in our Core by adding to the red tape. It's worth it, in the end (read above quote taken from BBC article regarding the opportunity to flourish.

My points may not be new to the Ad Hoc Committee and her members, regardless, i appreciate your taking the time to read them. Our City Centre is close to my heart, and i do look forward to when it has been truly revitalized. Another mere strategic building may not do the trick, but honest, wise diligent leadership can... and that is, in fact what we hope to see here.

MedHatBlog has an ongoing conversation regarding this issue. I'll go now and read that.

How Do You Spend 90 Million?

Social housing is of interest to me. i look forward to seeing what the Alberta Housing Task Force recommends.

The province of BC just stepped up and committed $80,000,000 to buying buildings in downtown Vancouver for social housing. I've spent a little time in downtown Van... there is a definite need there (frankly, there is a definite need right here in Medicine Hat, although we don't see it as readily - like that means it doesn't exist, or something) This $80,000,000 will provide single room housing in 15+ buildings for over 1000 people (almost half of the homeless believed to reside in East Van). People who've been marginalized. This is good. Contrast will definitely help put this in context:

The City of Medicine Hat is adamant to spend that same amount of money (more or less) to the tune of $90,000,000. Keep in mind the PROVINCE of British Columbia has earmarked 80 MILLION dollars for investing SIGNIFICANTLY in housing needs for the greater mainland area. Medicine Hat's noble gesture; (for appearances sake) push thru a 90 MILLION dollar investment in a new arena. This is not so good. Contrast makes this look as selfish as, in fact it really seems.

You read that right... and i'm embarrassed too.

/ for those of you who may be numerically illiterate (and i don't hold it against you...) $90,000,000 is NINETY MILLION DOLLARS. Which, frankly, is a lot, isn't it?

It's a Start

Iran softens, not enough mind you. Not yet.

She Said What?

Did Alderwoman Cathy Smith just say "these people have been subsidized for years?"
When describing all residents of Medicine Hat; You, me... my family? That tone is disgusting.

In an election year?

The conversation can be found over at medhatblog.com
Thanks again to Dangermouse for drumming up the truth. And stuff.

300 & Frank Miller Roundup

Thermopylae "an unsolved riddle".

Some in Iran are miffed. They find 300 offensive and politicized, as when the Iranian government said the film was “part of a comprehensive U.S. psychological warfare aimed at Iranian culture.”

A Parsi perspective of 300 worth reading.

Screen shots compared to Millers original graphic novel. Amazing similarity. Thanks for the link O.

Loved the movie (saw it twice so far). Really enjoyed the cinematic rendition flowing form the pages of one of Frank Millers most stunning pieces of work. (props go to Lynn Varley as well - read the link, you'll learn, like i just did, that Lynn was Franks wife once.)

After Sin City, with the critical aclaim & PROFIT already generated with the release of 300 it is no longer a matter of IF but WHEN the next Frank Miller graphic novel will be converted to dvd. I wonder which story is next (Cast my vote for Ronin, ground-breaking)

Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force

This morning was a lot of fun. Butterflies in my stomach and all. i presented, on behalf of Classic Construction (at the Task Forces invitation) to the Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force. It was a spirited conversation, but enough about my time. I had the opportunity to listen to Darren Rud of the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society. Wow... my hat is off to that man, and his suggestions were spot on! i sure hope the Task Force considers, weighs & values his input.

The Task Forces goal was, in the words of newly minted Minister Danyluk:
"The task force is responsible for identifying short- and long-term housing solutions that will have a positive impact on Alberta’s competitiveness and enhance Albertans' quality of life."

Heh, i even got name mention in their list of presenters, just click on the Feb 26th Medicine Hat download to see... if you care. Mom?

/ i was dissapointed to see that there was no representation on the task force from Southern Alberta, i suppose that would be due to travel in the short timelines Premier Stelmach has given them? It certainly isn't because they couldn't find apply suitable board members within Medicine Hat. Murray Prokosch included.

Construction & Politics

What a day. R.S. makes my day with the following humor via email. He manages to touch on Construction, & politics. That scores high in my books. enjoy.

If you're still reading, here's a little humour to brighten your day.

MODERN MEDICINE

Five surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.

The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table, because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

The second responds, "yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color-coded."

The third surgeon says, "no, I really think librarians are the best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

The fourth surgeon chimes in, "you know, I like construction workers...those guys always understand when you have a few parts left over at the end, and when the job takes longer than you said it would."

But the fifth surgeon shut them all up when he observed, "you're all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, and no spine, and the head and rear are interchangeable."

WK The Punk Lawyer

Heh. Warrens site is always good for some fun (and thought provoking commentary is nice too)

"February 4, 2007 - At the airport, going through the security line-up thing. Guy asks to see my boarding pass. Looks at it, expression changes.

"Warren Kinsella," says he. "The punk lawyer?"

Not sure what to say, and then I spot two tiny Ramones and Misfits pins on his lapel. "That's me, man," say I.

It didn't make the security process any less onerous, but it was comforting to know that the international punk conspiracy continues to spread, maaaaan." - Warren Kinsella (Self aware... i like that)

Politics in the Hat

Medicine Hat. South Eastern Alberta. Western Canada. Home.
Generally i leave the political discussions to our more learned bloggers, those men and women who so easily inspire with print. It is one reason i enjoy watching medhatblog.com grow into the voice it has already quickly become (consider this). I enjoy reading Angry in the Great White North by Steve Janke just as much as the blog kept by the spirited Warren Kinsella. Regardless of where they are on the Canadian political spectrum, regardless how much, or how little i agree with them, they offer heated, honest, well written debate. I love it, partly because i suspect that same heated honest well written debate is an area of weakness myself. Some day.
I missed Honest Ed Stelmach, our Premier. Just missed him. i was waiting in the lobby of Chinook Village for an appointment, and i thought i might have this chance to give our Premier a message. He was wisked out another door by his security (was it me?).
Alas, i'll let this blog inform him, i am more than satisfied, more than happy with the letter that Stelmach has written to Minister Danyluk: Housing initiatives and affordability in Alberta are very important. I'm Happy you agree.

/ Now, if only our own Monte would spend a little more time blogging, (that link used to be a blog rife with Solberg wit... it could be again with some Ministerial attention). Do we need an election? or summer break? or what... what will bring you back to the blog. Man, can Monte write. wow.

This fall our own Medicine Hat City Council will be going back to the polls. As always, there are those aldermen who've earned consideration for another term. And, sadly, there are those aldermen who've (imho) by their actions or inactions, lost that same consideration. They will finish out this term, i wish them luck in other non council related endevours (time to move along, nothing to see here).
Who will blog this process? Who will take up that roll? i look forward to reading that! Don't you?

Bush has arrived

George W. Bush has arrived in Canada today. An occasion that deserves mention on this humble blog.

The President endeared himself when he said he opened up the dinner menu and noted, "I was pleased to see we will be eating Alberta beef."

SGT. Maj. Jordan - Air ?

i am a fan of the game of basketball, that is no suprise to the readers of this blog, those of you whom i call friends. So, i am compelled to briefly provide this link. While Air Jordan is not heading to Iraq, his older brother James, a US military man of 12+ years is.

SGT. Maj. Jordan, Michael Jordans big brother is going to Iraq.

/thanks to instapundit.com for the link reference... i try to read Glenn Reynolds at least once a day! kinda like eating an apple, or some such.

Debt tracker

It is very late, and i ran across this simple little blog post moments ago. Quite funny. But first, some background... As Canadians we generally hope that fiscal responsibility break out in our Federal Government, we are further tempted with their recent report of a 5.9 Billion budget surplus. I am not sure how correct and timely this Canadian Debt clock is, which makes the following comment even better.

"Alberta's the only province that can have a real-time debt clock written in static HTML.

Alberta Debt: $0.00"

Monte Solberg and democracy

Monte Solberg was in town today, and i was not about to miss a good lunch, and a few minutes of Monte's mind. Special thanks to the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce, their AGM that was the luncheons precursor... Stans buffet was good as always but it was Monte that satisfied. In brief fashion Monte had this to say about being back in Ottawa

"a little democracy was breaking out... in the House of Commons of all places... (laughter)".

Monte's most scathing rebuke of the current minority government of Canada was regarding the Liberal cabinet ministers public verbal abuse of the US president George W. Bush. Monte is bothered that the current liberal cabinet "publically insult...(Bush) then fold like a cheap suit behind closed doors (while working on trade negotiations)!"

It will be an interesting time, watching to see how this minority federal government moves forward. Regardless of how things progress i have no doubt from time to time we will see Monte in the middle!