Odds And Ends: Canadian And American Politics

I wished there would be more outrage about this story but I won't hold my breath. Politicians stealing our money for their own gain simply isn't important to us Canadians. But bring up Jimmy Carter's thoughts about race in America and WHOA! comments sections are flooded.

By the way, Carter isn't exactly enamored with Jews. What a peanut brain. I know. Couldn't resist.

Moving along.

Former Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault should be made to pay for her arrogance on spending tax payer dollars with reckless abandonment.

And it should be noted, Quebec does have its share of these scandals.

"Mom, can I have..."

"You got it baby!"

***

I don't support Bill-C440. I don't believe I should accept American deserters while our own Canadian soldiers die in Afghanistan. Sorry. Moreover, I doubt these people will get tortured if they go back to the United States. They'll serve a ridiculously low jail time or get discharged - honorably or not. And then they will move on.

The timing is off and in poor taste.

***

Speaking of race in America. I can't comment about that. But it's interesting to note how now that Obama is facing some heavy criticism, the race card is (predictably) being played. No, it can't be solely based on his policies. Impossible!

This is a false logic. It's call an ad hominen.

For a leader who was supposed to transcend race, it sure has become a polarizing issue. Not that any of this is his fault. Mind you, he didn't help things when he called out the cop in Boston. Still, I get the feeling Obama doesn't believe half the crap spewed about. At least I hope so.

Interestingly, what's overlooked is that America wasn't racist enough to vote Obama into power. First, Nancy Pelosi calls Americans attending Townhalls "Nazis," (recall that some politicians considered them to be "unruly mobs") and now former Presidents and pseudo-pundit celebrities proclaim they're racists. Yes, this is smart politics - piss off people. Tagging and libeling an entire people like this is obscene.

Closer to home, to put it in Canadian context, do we consider all separatists and criticism to them to be "racists?" Of course not. That would be unfair.

Obama got a lot of independent votes and conservative democrats. Something tells me he lost them in 2010.

I dare not suggest race doesn't play a role or that a discussion about is wrong but sheesh...to claim criticism equates to racism is asinine.

Last, people who blame this all on the usual suspects, Limbaugh, Beck (most Canadians don't even listen to these guys. Their impressions are from second hand sources from people I wouldn't trust cleaning my spoons like Maureen Dowd) and of course Bush are missing the point. It's become comical to see how obsessed the White House has become about radio and TV personalities.

Did Bush ever retaliate or comment on, for example, the vociferous (and sometimes vicious) punditry of Keith Olbermann, Air America, Moveon or Eleonore Clift? I'm asking.

Sheesh. And the Democrats hold the Presidency AND the House! They whine when they're not in power and they whine in power.

***

Speaking of TV, why not just give the President his own reality TV show at this point he's on it so often.

***

The left spends an awful lot of time looking at what the other side does. The way I see it, they're in power so they should just focus on what they need to do. To borrow a sports analogy, the intelligent and successful coach when asked about what happens on opposing teams will always reply, "I don't care about the other team. I care about mine. I can only control MY team. If one pays too much attention to the other side it detracts them from doing what needs to be done."

Which brings me to this post. It was sent to me and I'm poorer for it. I seriously can't believe this article. It's obtuse in its delusional and hypocritical orientation - to think he's an "associate professor." It's so incredibly insulting to modest and moderate minds it renders thoughtful souls seeking political and intellectual truth (or close to it) speechless.

I feel dirty just for linking it but I want to show that for all the attacks the right endure for being hypocritical, the left can be equally awful and hopelessly partisan in its "thinking."

I guess, to recall but one small example, Harry Reid calling Bush a "loser' and "liar" doesn't count.

What's going on at The Huffington Post?

Orwell: Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past."

***

The Tea Party was given scant attention and when it was covered, some media outlets under shot the attendance. As a result, it has led to conflicting report and there's been a turf war about how many people actually attended. The body of evidence and eye witness has grown enough to ascertain a reliable enough estimate. The number has been as low as 500 000 and as high as 2 million. Either way, much higher than the "thousands" reported.

National Parks Service and Homeland Security (according to one person but I'm still trying to find this) have the number in the 2 million range. In fact, NPS says it's the largest rally ever.

***

BUT, for those who people who attack Obama for infringing on liberties regarding his health care reform plan, where were they when Bush instilled his own anti-liberty measures?

***

I've been reading about how some people are attempting to turn the tables on the film maker who exposed a couple of deadbeat ACORN workers. Posing as a pimp, the film maker asked how he can start a sex slave business and what he discovered was that ACORN was a tad too well-prepared on what to do; including how to circumnavigate tax laws.

The spin is they claim the way he did it was "dishonest" film making since it was under cover.

Bye-bye Geraldo and 20/20!

These people are scum and citizens have a right to know what they're up to, no? If the FBI is involved doesn't this tell you enough?

Just youtube the video or view it on my site in one of the previous posts this month.

***

It turns out Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay vice-president of the executive community and third ranking official was an FLQ (a terrorist organization) in his youth.

Hey, we all have skeletons. Although mine a far less radical. Some regret it others, the scheming ones, keep it in the closet in hopes of acquiring power and wielding power from within.

I think in politics it's a dicey game to trust your past won't haunt you like an angry Ouija board who won't quit. Any decision you make has an impact on your life and if you go into public office you have to accept responsibility for any choices you've made. The question is how much of an issue do we make it?

It seems digging up on people's past has become a blood sport. In American politics it's become standard stuff. Obama's past is scrutinized as are the people on his staff. The left, naturally forgetting their own indiscretions, are crying foul (Van Jones anyone?) but they've done their own mukraking with Bush and Sarah Palin. It's funny how ever since Louise Harel announced her candidacy how all this stuff is surfacing.

I do feel we need to know where someone is coming from. It gives you an idea where they've been and where they're going. But even then, it shouldn't necessarily be used against the person. I find it hard to believe, in some cases, people's political leanings shift so easily. It may mean, or can be perceived, they lack conviction. And what does this say about communism (Van Jones), Marxism (Gilles Duceppe) and other failed isms when people in power now denounce it, anyway? Or does it say more about the person?

***

Count me in as one of those observers who feels conservatives are raising fair points about Obama's health plan. I don't understand how anyone with a balanced outlook would think otherwise. Anyone dismissing this is not as fair minded as they think.

However, this "nationalized health care kills" thing coming from some parts of the right is absurd. Look, I'm no fan of public health as it stands but let's keep perspective, ok?

***

And finally, I'm convinced anti-Harpites (Harper is Canada's W. Bush) politically illiterate. If you've used the "2 out of 3 Canadians people didn't vote for Harper" line please stop now. You're just making yourself a punchline. I don't know who came up with it but he or she should be forced to take a basic politics course - for free of course. It's Canada, you know.