Categories
Politics

US thinking about Nuking Iran

I’ve been reading about the sabre rattling the US has been engaging in with Iran and frankly I’m in disbelief. Yesterday’s New Yorker article makes me sick. Snip:

The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack(… )

The lack of reliable intelligence leaves military planners, given the goal of totally destroying the sites, little choice but to consider the use of tactical nuclear weapons. “Every other option, in the view of the nuclear weaponeers, would leave a gap,” the former senior intelligence official said. ” ‘Decisive’ is the key word of the Air Force’s planning. It’s a tough decision. But we made it in Japan.”

He went on, “Nuclear planners go through extensive training and learn the technical details of damage and fallout—we’re talking about mushroom clouds, radiation, mass casualties, and contamination over years. This is not an underground nuclear test, where all you see is the earth raised a little bit. These politicians don’t have a clue, and whenever anybody tries to get it out”—remove the nuclear option—”they’re shouted down.”

After everything that’s happened in the last 5 years, I wish I was the one to have written the following quotation on the subject. From a comment posted at the site TPMCafe on January 14, 2006: “Speaking as a Canadian who is fond of judicious language, I feel that this situation deserves careful and measured thought. So let me just open with: Is your entire &#@%ing country on crack?

Categories
Politics

Canada’s New Prime Minister

The election is over and the votes are tallied. The conservative party didn’t do quite as well as some polls had predicted, but they still have the majority of seats and a minority government. Stephen Harper, leader of the conservative party and Prime Minister-designate will be sworn in as Canada’s 22nd Prime-Minister sometime in mid-February.

Categories
Politics

Federal Election Debate at the U of L

The local Lethbridge MP candidates were at the University of Lethbridge this afternoon in a debate. I’ll probably end up voting for Melanee Thomas of the NDP party because I think she is most deserving of my vote. She’s very quick on her feet and I imagine she’ll continue to do well in the party.

Melanee Thomas NDP Candidate

Melanee Thomas gives her opening statement.

However, after hearing some of the Conservative party plans I have a renewed respect for Rick Casson and some of the things he said today have actually made me feel better about their imminent majority victory next week. He’s not going to get my vote but at the same time it’s not like he needs it, traditionally Southern Alberta always votes for the conservatives.

It’s the topics that didn’t come up that bother me, but for the first while as/if Conservatives follow through with their top five goals, I don’t think I’ll have much to complain about—all that money for beer and popcorn — oh wait I don’t have kids.

Previously: MP questions and answers for the 2004 election

Categories
entertainment Politics

Jeff Milner Movie Review: Syriana

This afternoon I went out with my friend Steve and his wife Monique to see the movie Syriana. What an amazing show. So often with political thrillers they dumb the story down to nothing more than a glorified spy novel. Syriana embraces the complexity of the corporate and political world and brings it to the screen like no other movie I’ve ever seen. It’s about the USA’s over-reliance on foreign oil, and the morally corrupt situation in which the country has found itself.

Having said that, I should also say that I don’t know a lot of people that I could really give as high of a recommendation for this movie as it deserves. The characters spread out over several seemingly unconnected narrative threads in addition to numerous countries and ideologies. It can get pretty complicated pretty fast if you’re not up-to-date on the depth and scope of the topic. Frankly I’m guessing a lot of people may feel like a hopelessly lost student unable to follow the lecture of a seasoned professor who understands his topic so well, he has a hard time teaching it to beginners.

Which is exactly why I loved this movie. If you watch the Syriana movie trailer and decide you want to see it, I think it will probably surprise you; it’s not typical Hollywood fluff. My friends thought it was “okay” but I think they were both a little disappointed in it.

Roger Ebert gives a great perspective on Syriana.

Categories
Health Politics

Smoke Free Alberta

Yay! Alberta is going smoke free (somewhat) on January 1st, 2006.

The following is a list of places that must be smoke-free if minors are permitted to enter:

  • Restaurants, banquet halls and entertainment facilities
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Public and private schools and school property
  • Common areas in residential buildings (hotels, motels, apartment and condominium buildings)
  • All offices and government buildings
  • Work vehicles
  • All enclosed public places including parking garages
  • Day nurseries
  • Reserved seating in sporting arenas or entertainment venues

Smoke Free Alberta

Categories
humor Politics

Alberta’s Debt is Paid Off

Ralph Klein was pleased to announce yesterday that the provincial debt in Alberta has finally been paid off. When questioned about where he got the money Klein apparently responded, “I finally got around to returning my empties.”

Categories
Politics

Election Questions For Local Lethbridge MP Candidates

Things are turning political in Canada.

While perusing a Boing Boing article this morning I decided to imitate an idea I found there. An astute Canadian has written the MP candidates within his constituency asking four simple questions.

I followed suit and emailed the Lethbridge constituents. Here are their responses, edited only to fit in with each other on this posting. The text has not been changed.

Reply Legend (in alphabetical order):

BlueRick Casson (Conservative Party of Canada)
*GreenErin Matthews (Green Party of Canada)
*RedKen Nicol (Liberal Party of Canada)
OrangeMelanee Thomas (NDP of Canada)

*-indicates the candidate has not yet responded.

1) There has been a lot of talk of a Canadian version of the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Would you support this? and why?

Rick Casson: Currently we are researching with Conservative national office your inquiry regarding the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Melanee Thomas: I would not support a Canadian version of the DMCA because many Canadians are personally and legally using music and other mediums on-line with intent to not infringe copyrights. I think that laws like the DMCA violate freedoms of expression and that there are better ways to balance copyrights and expression in law.

1b) Do you support changes at all to our existing copyright laws?

Melanee Thomas: I do not support anything specific at this time. I would have to do more research on this subject. If you have any feedback or ideas on this topic, I would be interested in hearing what you have to say.

2) Mr. Martin says he supports the change to allow same sex marriage, while Mr. Harper says he would put it to a free vote – How would you vote?

Rick Casson: I believe marriage is the union between one man and one woman.

Melanee Thomas: I would vote in favour of equal marriage. Sexual orientation is a “personal immutable characteristic” and is inalienable from a person, therefore, we need to write laws that protect them, not unlike how we have law to protect people based on their religious beliefs or gender or race.

3) Do you support the Kyoto accord? why?

Rick Casson: Koyoto Accord is Not a made in Canada solution. We will become an environmental world leader by focusing on clean air, clean water, clean land, and clean energy Canadians know we are fortunate to live in the most beautiful country in the world, a country with the world’s largest fresh water supply and abundant natural resources and wildlife species. But we also know we cannot take this natural environment for granted. We must be responsible stewards of our land, water, and air.

We need results, not just talk Paul Martin and the Liberal government have long talked a good game on the environment, but delivered little. While he was in office, Paul Martin’s own shipping company, Canada Steamship Lines, was charged with polluting Halifax Harbour. As the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development has demonstrated, Canada faces “an environmental and sustainable development deficit” caused in part by the “gap between the commitments the federal government has made and the results it has achieved.” Canadians must demand better stewardship for their environment. They must demand a government that will be less interested in flashy announcements at international conferences, and more interested in environmental results.

A Conservative government will work with Canadians to address real environmental problems and develop a longterm vision for a healthy, sustainable environment as a trust for future generations.

The Plan
A Conservative government will implement the commitments of Stephen Harper’s February 2004 paper, “Towards a Cleaner Canada,” including:

  • Legislate caps on smog causing pollutants like Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Negotiate power plant and smokestack emissions limits with the United States and border states. Investigate a cap-and-trade system that will allow firms to generate credits by reducing smog-causing pollutants.
  • Increase fines for first occurrences of ocean spills to $500,000 plus clean-up costs. Pass legislation providing that ships and their cargo can be seized and impounded until fines are paid. Extend funding for radar satellite surveillance on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.
  • Initiate an audit of federal contaminated waste sites to determine potential health risks and clean-up costs. Support spending $4 billion over ten years to clean up contaminated sites such as the Sydney tar ponds.
  • Allow businesses to deduct costs of brownfield remediation expenses, and take further measures recommended by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy to reduce the risks to the private sector of brownfield development.
  • Work with the provinces to develop a national strategy for alternative energy and energy conservation, including increasing the use of renewable energy sources, research and development into alternative energy and energy efficiency technology, and a long term study of Canada’s energy situation that considers the relative cost of energy sources, energy security, trade relations, and environmental conservation.
  • Redirect federal spending aimed at fulfilling the terms of the increasingly irrelevant Kyoto Protocol to concrete programs to ensure clean air, water, and land, and to promote energy conservation.

Melanee Thomas: I support the Kyoto accord for several reasons. First, I enjoy hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park (which is in the Lethbridge constituency), but I do NOT enjoy looking out over the prairie vista from a mountain top and seeing smog. Air tests have indicated that particles and pollution from China have blown across the jet stream to settle in our area. This indicates to me that we need a global solution to pollution and climate change. My generation is being left with an environmental debt that I don’t know how we’re going to pay off.

One other reason why I support Kyoto is the result of the activities of two petrochemical corporations: Suncor and Beyond Petroleum. Both companies have implemented their Kyoto commitments, and both companies are MAKING MONEY. This is evidence that making our business environmentally sustainable and making our buildings, etc environmentally friendly creates jobs and boosts the economy.

4) This is the most important question, how will you make sure that your voice is the voice of Lethbridge while you are MP?

Rick Casson: The most important issue(s) for an MP to address are the ones which interest, impact or are of greatest importance to his constituents. By being connected to his constituents through personal contact, or telephone and e-mail communications a wide-range of diverse, often complex issues are brought forward. Since being elected Lethbridge Member of Parliament in 2000 I have attended in excess of 500 functions also attended by thousands of constituents. During each event opinions, ideas and general thoughts are shared on national and regional topics, yet in all cases the bearing an issue has on a local level is of greatest significance.

Melanee Thomas: I will actively seek out the positions and opinions of all constituents, including those who are not traditionally NDP supporters. Lethbridge very clearly has a plurality of opinions, so it is important to be open about my own moral code and worldview so that constituents know where I am coming from as well. I have already committed to quarterly meetings with several important community groups if elected, which will help keep me in touch with the community as well. Above all, I plan to continue with canvassing and door knocking because I’ve found that people are most open and honest and upfront when asked what is important to them. That kind of feedback needs to be sought out, and I am more than prepared to make that a central part of my job as MP.

Categories
entertainment Politics

The Film that Disney Blocked

Lion’s Gate is going to distribute Michael Moore’s controversial new film “Fahrenheit 9/11”.

The distributors plan to start showing the movie in U.S. theatres on June 25, with pay television rights to be handled by Showtime, a partner of Lion’s Gate, AFP said.

The film, which won the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme D’Or last month, criticizes President George W. Bush’s response to terrorism and also highlights ties between the Bush family and Saudi oil families.

Update: Fahrenheit 9/11’s trailer is now online. Also check out reviews from IMDB. Apparently you don’t need to actually have seen the movie to say whether or not you liked it.

Categories
Politics

Vanunu out of Prison But Definitely Not Free

Mordechai Vanunu was released from prison earlier today, but will have to live under some very restraining rules. The leader of the Israeli Opposition Party and founder of Israel’s nuclear weapons program Shimon Peres says the heavy restrictions imposed upon Vanunu are justified.

As I mentioned in an earlier post Mordechai Vanunu betrayed his country, Israel, by telling the world about its atomic weapons program. Vanunu is not allowed to speak with the media, he is not allowed to release any information about Israel’s weapon’s programs including information that has already been leaked. He must give 24 hours notice if he wishes to sleep at a different address and he is not allowed to communicate in Internet chatrooms unless specific permission is given. He is not allowed to speak to “foreigners”, he has no Israeli passport and Israel’s intention is to keep him within their borders preventing him from speaking to anyone about their secrets. Other restrictions will be applied if the government feels he is not cooperating.

Israeli Traitor Mordechai Vanunu after being released from 18 years of prisonAfter 18 years of prison, nearly 12 of which were in solitary confinement, I hope he’s learned that the government means business. It’s in his own best interest to go along with the rules that have been setup for him, and just try to start living his life. Given the picture of him here, flashing victory signs, I think he has other plans in mind.

Supporters of Vanunu have put up a special website on his behalf. Meanwhile news organizations like The Moscow Times, Jerusalem Post, and many more are running stories about his release and speculating on what he might do next.

Categories
Politics

My Opinions on the Candidates for The University of Lethbridge’s 2004/2005 Students’ Union Elections

Today and tomorrow are the Student Union Elections. I had no idea who to vote for, so I’ve been reading up on the candidates trying to make an informed decision. Tyler Tanner, Jon Morrison, Scott McIntyre, Loralee Edwards, and Paul Daniels are running for President; Matthew Sletto, Jason Rumer, and Gorm Hansen for VP Academic. Kelly Andres and Greg Imeson are running for VP Administration while Clay Campbell, Michael Smith, and Patricia Butt are running for VP Internal Affairs. My review of their profiles (as found in the student run newspaper The Meliorist.)

Running for President:
Tyler Tanner—From Taber, Alberta. One of the infamous Tanner crew, specifically of the “Mother Tanner’s Sweet Taber Corn” line. Personally I would have left that detail out. He says some good things about the University and then toots his horn about what a great guy he is, but says little about why he would make a good president.

Jon Morrison—Management student. His reason for running is a personal interest in student issues. He fails to cite which issues he’s interested in. He has little or no experience in politics. Also he didn’t proof read his profile before submitting it, “I have developed a interest in student issues”¦” Do I really want someone so grammatically inept as my SU president?

Scott McIntyre—Unfortunately Scott has dropped out of the race. PoliSci student and likely would have been my first pick. Rumor has it he is not running for personal reasons.

Paul Daniels—The incumbent. His platform was based on what he has done and what he is going to do. So far so good, but his main points were that he has started to make the Zoo (the campus pub) a more welcoming environment, reviving Thursday night action there as well making the place non-smoking. He also added that ratified clubs need better funding and benefits. So if he’s elected I suppose I should assume that more of my SU fees will be going to University Clubs. Maybe I would care if I was in one.

Loralee Edwards—A senior student, and given the choices probably the best choice, but I still haven’t decided for sure.

Running for Vice President Academic:
Matthew Sletto—No bio submitted. I guess I know who I won’t be voting for.

Jason Rumer—Jason has a lot of experience in the SU and other political organizations. His bio focused on past experience rather than plans for the future but his list of past experience was impressive.

Gorm Hansen—Gorm also has had a lot of previous experience. His bio was unfortunately quite short. He does, however, have something going for him (at least as far as my vote goes) in that someone I recently met from the SU, whom is graduating, said that if he were to pick, either Jason or Gorm would be good choices but that personally he would vote for Gorm.

Running for Vice President Administration:
Kelly Andres—Long bio and considering the opposition, she’s my pick.

Greg Imeson—Why the hell would you run in a student union election and not submit a bio to the University’s student newspaper? I guess we could ask Greg that question.

Running for Vice President Internal Affairs:

Clay Campbell—Currently Clay is the Vice President of University Hall, for the Organization of Residence Students. He is also the founder and two-year president of GALSO (more commonly known as GALIA). He goes on to say that University Clubs are very important [yadda yadda] and that if elected he will divert more funds to clubs. Seeing as he’s the president of one of the clubs I’d have to say his bias on this topic shows through pretty clearly.

Michael Smith—I don’t want to seem judgmental here, but when he listed one of his hobbies as pilates, I had to wonder exactly what type of guy mentions his hobby of a specific kind of exercise when campaigning in Student Union elections. I guess we could ask Mike that. Anyway he’s currently the Vice President of GALIA and a treasurer of the board of directors at CKUL (the University’s radio station). His platform revolves around his desire to encourage diversity. Hmmm.

Patricia Butt—Ok, my last hope Patricia Butt (also known as Tricia). I was actually put off of the idea of voting for Patricia due to the over usage of bad puns in her political advertisements around the school. Puns aside, reading her bio seemed like what I imagine the cover letter of an application to be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader would be like. Don’t get me wrong it was actually a pretty well written piece, but it didn’t seem to fit with someone concerned about Internal Affairs. I couldn’t help but think that if she were handwriting this, she would have dotted her lower case “i’s” and “j’s” with little smiley faces. She sounds pretty sporty and had a nice picture to boot, but her platform revolved around what a fun person she is and her love of all things sporty and cute. In the end though, I’ll probably end up voting for her.

The other positions didn’t have enough interest so all running for those positions will be awarded victory by acclamation.