Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Canada Day to all the members of the great political institution that created this flag. In the weeks, months, and years ahead WesternGrit urges fellow Liberals to remember this flag and what it stands for. Remember how we fought to adopt this symbol of our great nation. Remember those who stood in our way are the very same foes who hold our nation back from advancement now... Conservatives - those whose very name stands for "resistance to change"; those who dislike anything "different". Remember the Canada we love - let's ensure it carries on. Happy Canada Day!

O'Connor Secures Military Transport - Tells Mansbridge "We're not at war in Afghanistan"

Gordon O'Connor was Santa Claus for the Canadian Forces today as he made public the Conservative's plans for their over-priced military spending spree. In a moment of sheer neo-Con lunacy he indicated that the weapons were needed because "we are not at war in Afghanistan - it's just an armed conflict against the Taliban". Wow! I didn't know neo-Con-speak had so many idiotic ways to lie about the f'in war we're involved in right now. Gordo should go ask the troops what they're doing right now... Are those really bullets flying by our heads???

O'Connor did not indicate which former military lobbyist friends the untendered contracts would go to, but we're quite confident they will be from south of the border.

Most controversial of the American defence industry's windfall? $1.8 billion for 4 (yes four) "strategic lift" aircraft. The Liberal gov't used to have a guaranteed lease for these, for only a few million a year. Rough translation? The Liberal plan would have allowed us to lease aircraft for the next 1000 years (well past the 10-15 year lifespan of the C17s).

We knew the Cons are always getting Canada into frivolous spending and debt, but this purchase has to set an all time record for raising the index finger to Canadian taxpayers.

CBC's "At Issue" Panelist Chantal Hebert Blasts Kennedy

I just about dropped out of my chair tonight as Chantal Hebert of the National's "At Issue" panel sliced into Gerard Kennedy. Now I too have been hearing all the scuttlebutt about Gerard's limited French abilities, his lack of real substance, etc., but I always thought as in any political contest these things are usually made out to be bigger issues than they really are. Well, Chantal seemed pretty keen on pointing these shortcomings out with statements like: "I don't know why he would even think of leaving Queen's Park", and "he brings nothing to the contest", as well as taking shots at his limited French language skills.

From the laughter and silence of the rest of this astute panel of political observers, it seems no-one really objected to Chantal's criticism. I personally have solidified my opinion of Gerard - nice guy, but "show me the money".

Scowling Rex Murphy took a shot at Ignatieff, basically saying, "I haven't had a chance to hear to much of his speeches, but what I did hear did seem to come up short of what people talk him up to be" (said with the usual Murphy mug). He did seem to have trouble making any clear predictions or observations of the campaign - admitting that he knew very little of the internal goings on. It seems the Rex-ter is too busy paying attention to the "incredible job" PM Shrub is doing... Yep, another CBC editorialist squarely in the Con camp...

On a rather comical note, Andrew "Right-er than Shrub" Coyne all but endorsed Stephane Dion. Not sure how any of my friends in the Dion Team should take this, but an endorsement from a top Conservative shouldn't make any red-blooded Liberal feel good.

A great ending to the round-table came when it seemed all the panelists agreed that the new Liberal leader (whomever that will be) will be one of the big political stories of the next election - and may just be one of the biggest "up-and-comers".

That's the way WesternGrit sees it...

Sports Fan's Paradise - Or Why I Didn't Sell My 50 Memberships Last Week

World Cup, Stanley Cup, NBA Finals, start of the CFL Season, US Open, Montreal F1 Grand Prix... Wow... I continue to wonder why its so hard to keep up with my blogging this month. Must be the crossing of specific stars in the heavens, but my attention has been keenly devoted to my television.

I know I should be out selling memberships, but really... when Dwayne Wade is busily winning his MVP trophy, how can I tear myself away? Duty calls, and I'm supposed to meet some community leaders Friday night. Friday night? But that's the 2nd week of "Friday Night Football" - can't miss my beloved Roughriders, can I? Then there's that temple visit on Sunday - ack!!! - that's during the Montreal GP! What's a loyal Liberal to do???

This whole thing stinks of a Conservative conspiracy. After all, we know they control the media, don't they? TSN... hmmm... that would be Bell-Globe Media. CBC - well, as recent news coverage would suggest (including crusty Mr. Rex Murphy), they're working for the Cons now. Something has got to be done about this. The CBC Sports crew just couldn't stop saying nice things about Harpo the Clown - even after he committed the faux pas of asking to say "hi" to his friends on national TV. What a dweeb.

So, I'm left to make my "please buy a membership" phone calls during the replays of the mornings World Cup matches - interspersed with my occasional hoots, screams, and cussing. All this occurs, of course, to the astonishment of the sweet 95 year old party stalwart who has to listen on the other end. Oh well... like the grannies never swore at some stranger on their TV set...

Rae Needs To Prove Himself - As A LIBERAL

Yes, he's a nice guy. Yes, he's "mature", and friendly. Yes, he has "political experience" (although we're not sure if it is an advantageous thing for him). Yes, he can speak French...

But... c'mon, what the h@ll are some Liberals thinking??? Rae needs to prove himself a Liberal before he gets to lead the Big Red Machine. Even if we push aside his record as Ontario Premier, we absolutely cannot forget where he came from. Now folks like Scott Brison - even Belinda - have "earned their stripes" as Liberals. Before I put my support behind Rae, I'd like him to do the same. Get elected - as a LIBERAL. Show some spunk in Parliament. Give us - and voters - a chance to get to know the "new you". We know you're a good guy... Let's just see whatchya got...

Now, needless to say, I'm going to probably take some flak for posting this. So be it. Sometimes one just needs to reach out and give people's heads a shake. While the man's bright, charming, a good debater - and may present a complete package - we need to really look closely at what voters will think. This is especially true of our "heartland" in Ontario. We can't afford to lose any more Ontario seats. Rae needs to show the public what he's got. He may be a potential solution, but he needs to prove himself. He needs to also take some time to build bridges to other Liberals... to bring in a broad swath of the party. Ignatieff, Dion, Kennedy, Dryden, Brison, etc., all have a diverse group of Liberals supporting them. Rae needs to show the same broad appeal within the party.

A great guy - just needs to prove himself in the federal mileu... Last thing I want to hear on the doorsteps in Spring: "C'mon, what were you guys thinking?"

Conservative Opinion Of Our Parliamentary System? Fu@k It

School was supposed to be out for Summer. Canadians learned this week just how the neo-Cons feel about our Parliamentary system. Conservative MPs flipped Opposition parties the bird, insulted and mocked the Speaker, and used foul language - audibly.

While some shenanigans are a "normal" part of Parliament, MPs are always expected to apologize for them, and to show respect for the institution. In this case the institution itself was attacked. When things have crossed the line in the past, a PM or party whip would step in to elicit the required apology... not this time. Stephen Harper is too busy keeping his firm line of censorship on his extreme right wing to really worry about his buffoons.

We all know how much respect Reform-a-Torys have for the institution of Parliament. These are the same folks who openly showed contempt and hatred for Ontario, Toronto, and Ottawa for years. These are the same folks who have been trying to dissolve the Senate for years. These are the same folks who have been trying to get to Ottawa to "trim down the bureaucracy" for years. Why do we expect any better from them???

$2.5 Billion Conservative "Boondoggle"

Ex-defence industry bagman and industry fifth-columnist in the Defence Department, Gordon O'Connor is the center of attention in what appears to be a $2.5 Billion misuse of taxpayer funds. O'Connor - who spent years selling defence contracts - has "mysteriously" awarded - with the Harper government's help - the giant American Boeing Corporation a completely untendered contract to supply unwanted aircraft to our Air Force.

For ANY government to do this would be slightly dodgy at the very least. For a Defence Minister who was a former lobbyist for major defence contractors, this is downright shady. Is O'Connor securing a "life after politics" for himself? It is certainly not written in stone that this neo-Con will be re-elected... Probably a good idea for him to do "good deeds" for the defence industry while he can. We're sure he still has a lot of friends and contacts in the industry.

There are a lot of reasons why Canadians should be VERY concerned about this boondoggle. The concern about a politician possibly providing his friends billions of dollars of taxpayer's funds is a huge one indeed. A Defence Minister who helped his party and government supposedly "champion" the needs of the military, only to slap that same military across the face by going completely against top general's advice, is worrying. Those thoughts aside, a much more insidious danger lingers here... The untendered awarding of this contract raises the very real fear of foreign corporations controlling undue influence in this Conservative government.

Throughout history Conservatives have been warmongers and lackies of the military-industrial complex. The fact that this is a very true statement and not just a "theory" is reflected in our history, our economics, and the very make-up of our "free enterprise" system. As moderate, middle of the road citizens, and a stong opposition, it is OUR duty to keep an eye on these neo-Cons - before they turn our land into "Texas North".

ABSOLVED! Jury finds NO POLITICAL CONNECTION to Guite's Actions!

A jury has found NO POLITICAL CONNECTION to Chuck Guite's actions in the so-called "sponsorship scandal". This news is definitely good news for some federal politicians in Canada.

Years of Reform/Con harping have led to nothing more than a sentence for the man we all knew was the "ring-leader". So a crooked beaurocrat - who was originally hired by Mulroney's Conservatives, to boot - is found responsible for the misappropriation of funds that led to the Gomery Inquiry.

It appears it now will be possible for politics to return to something truly fitting our parliament - rather than the daily drive-by smear it has become under the neo-Cons.

Ignatieff Meets Lower Mainland South Asian Community Leaders: Commits to Protect Rights of South Asians In Light Of Recent Arrests in Metro TO

(Richmond BC, June 4th) Michael Ignatieff committed to stand up for the rights of the Canadian South Asian diaspora Sunday, in light of the recent arrests in Southern Ontario. Speaking to a gathering of Indian and Pakistani supporters in Richmond Mr. Ignatieff stated "I commit to you" that we will defend the rights of Muslim and South Asian Canadians in this difficult time - ensuring that we will do whatever we can to prevent a backlash against the larger community. Stating examples of IRA terrorism in the last century, Ignatieff indicated that we will continue to battle extremism through our justice system, as the nation we are building is beyond imported religious conflicts. Members of the community had stated that they feared potential backlash as a result of the recent news headlines concerning a supposed Ontario terror plot. Ignatieff's commitment brought a round of applause from the audience.

Speaking mainly about protecting and growing multiculturalism, expanding Liberal commitments to education, and continuing Liberal-initiated economic growth, Mr. Ignatieff captivated the audience with his charisma and effortless speaking style. He spent much longer than his scheduled time in individual conversations, and answered all questions raised by the crowd. He even paused for an impromptu autograph session.

WesternGrit spoke with a group of educators who attended the function. The group was very pleased with Mr. Ignatieff's plan for higher education in Canada. Ignatieff had committed to ensuring "everyone who wants to" can attend university.

Mr. Ignatieff went on to speak to members of BC's Chinese community, at appointments later Sunday.

Ignatieff to Meet With Indian and Chinese Community Leaders in Richmond BC Sunday

Michael Ignatieff will be meeting with members of the Lower Mainland's Indian and Chinese communities on Sunday. WesternGrit has travelled to BC to attend this event - and hopefully gets an opportunity to discuss Iggy's opinions on such matters as the recent arrests in Toronto, and Shrub's opinion on the issue.

Word on the ground - in the Lower Mainland - is that Ignatieff has been very well received on his past few visits. The Ignatieff Team in the Vancouver area is apparently pretty well-organized, and new membership sales are going well. Ignatieff's team in the area seem to be doing particularly well in selling new memberships to former NDP voters - who seem to really like Iggy's views on social issues and the environment. The growing list of Liberal supporters include individuals who have supported many different leadership campaigns in the past.

WesternGrit will post again tomorrow night after the event.... Also hope to have some good pictures to go with the story...

Say It Ain't So... Joe? (We Know it "Ain't")

It may be time for our own Mr. Volpe to take his ball and go home... I like Joe - he's a nice guy. I'm also certain that he had little or nothing to do with this recent fundraising affair. Unfortunately, politics in today's Canada are all about smear - more accurately, about how much mud the Conservatives can toss before someone starts investigating them. Again (Remember Mulroney?).

If getting his name out there is what Joe was trying to accomplish with his leadership bid, it worked. Any publicity may be good publicity, and if the Conservative record on ethics is any evidence of this, one need only to think back to Peter MacKay's "deal", the Mulroney Airbus affair, "invisible" Raheem Jaffer, or Stephen "Shrub" Harper's campaign financing.

Seriously though, Joe is a bright man, and well-liked in public and political circles. While he may be all that, I am a Liberal first - and I think about the image of the party above all else. The best thing Joe can do for the party right now, is kindly bow out, and not endorse any other candidates. He should take the time to ensure his name is cleared. He is a pitbull in Parliament, and his skills would be very handy in pinning down the arrogant neo-Cons while our party completes this leadership contest.

C'mon Joe. Help us keep the negative pub on the neo-Cons...